What is the congregation’s or organization’s vision for ministry? Additionally describe how this vision is lived out.
We are a congregation steeped in tradition but find ourselves at a critical junction in that long history. While being mindful of our responsibility to maintain a historical building, extensive grounds and cemeteries, we foremost want to aspire to be a joyous, loving community that welcomes all people to be part of our congregation regardless of age, race, career or lifestyle orientation.
We admit conflict within our congregation in the immediate past due to the departure of our pastor followed by the impact of the pandemic. We are committed to work together to heal relationships that both caused and resulted from those occurrences.
We seek a pastor who will lead us in this transformation through Jesus’ example to love our neighbor, heal relationships, show compassion and serve others both in our local community and the world.
Looking back on our history we can see how this vision can be recaptured and lived out in both new and old ways. We have always had a strong music program and are in the process of an effort to restore our organ. We look forward to returning to pre pandemic activities such as providing meals at the local mission, hosting the annual Food Bank Concert and supporting the Baja Mission trip which was a center piece of our mission work in past years. We hope to reach out in the community so we can again attract families and youth, giving rebirth to past programs such as Sunday school for all ages, Bell Choir, Friends of Jesus, Little Lambs and Youth Group.
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How do you feel called to reach out to address the emerging needs of your community or constituency?
Our community is widespread, from small towns nearby to large agricultural areas. Our members have demonstrated a desire to reach out to this community through the following initiatives, most of which we have done in the past:
- Welcoming visitors
- Providing a meeting place for weekday religious education for local elementary schools
- Hosting a Fall Festival to raise funds to benefit local charitable organizations
- Hosting an annual Community Day Open House with planned games and activities
- Providing meals through the year at the Valley Mission homeless shelter
- Hosting special programs of interest to the community (music, special speakers)
- Sponsoring and hosting an annual Christmas Concert to benefit the local Food Bank
- Sponsoring local needy children through Back Pack Buddy school and social services programs
- Donating quilts made by our ‘in house’ quilt group, to local needy or sick people
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How will this position help you to reach your vision and mission goals?
Through this position we would:
- Present thoughtful and uplifting messages through sermons
- Provide a knowledgeable and solid Christian foundation through leadership, teaching and preaching
- Provide leadership and guidance to church leaders
- Be a leader and teacher in Bible Study and all facets of Christian Ed.
- Offer and ‘open door’ policy to anyone seeking help or guidance, or counselling
- Encourage, support, and advise all youth and adult church activities and participate in as many as possible
- Encourage, advise and support mission outreach projects and activities
- Make visitations to elderly folk, sick, hospitalized members and church visitors
- Work with session to reopen and revise the current ‘wedding policy’ to encourage members and nonmembers to use our facilities for special occasions
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Provide a description of the characteristics needed by the person who is open to being called to this congregation and or organization.
ASC enjoys a history of service to all community members, especially to families. We have several multi—generational families in our membership, but also have many single persons and childless couples; and many elders whose adult children have moved elsewhere. We are committed to helping youth in their development as Christians, but also in imparting family and community values in their preparation for autonomous life outside the family home.
Therefore, we are very hopeful that the pastor we call has a strong commitment to helping families to succeed in meeting the multiple/complicated challenges facing today’s multi—faceted family. This will involve weekly children’s time during services, participation in family-oriented events, engaging in discussions with children, parents, and others to help achieve the above outcomes for our youth.
In addition, ASC values its connections to the local communities, and would encourage our pastor to work with us in being community involved. This person should be open to participating in church-based events, such as the Food Bank Christmas Concert, the ASC Fall Festival, “Bodacious Breakfasts & Spaghetti Suppers” and additional events at or sponsored by our congregation.
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What specific tasks, assignments, and program areas will this person have responsibility?
We see this person involved in the following areas:
Church Government:
- Actively involved in all facets of the church
- Moderate session meetings
- Be available for session members, committee chairs and those planning activities
- Conduct training programs for new session members, communicants and other groups as needed
- Serve as head of staff and be responsible for administrative tasks
- Be able to successfully navigate the world of technology using software, blogging, multimedia and websites as tools of ministry
Worship:
- Deliver meaningful sermons based on scriptures that apply to everyday life
- Administer the sacraments
- Be committed to lead the congregation in new and challenging activities for spiritual growth
Pastoral Care:
- Home and hospital visitation
- Regular office hours at the church
Engagement in the Community:
- Be available to perform special services including weddings and funerals
- Attend all community related church activities
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Optional Links
www.augustastone.org
Visit Augusta County – All Augusta, All Outside
Welcome to Staunton in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley (visitstaunton.com)
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