What is the congregation’s or organization’s vision for ministry? Additionally describe how this vision is lived out.
We envision a church that:
Is kind, generous, hospitable and welcoming.
Involves everyone in local and global missions.
Treats everyone as a Child of God
Shares our time, talents and treasure.
Through WORSHIP
Church service led by the minister with music from the choir, the tone chimes or guest musicians
Members of the congregation participate in the service doing scripture readings
Bible studies during the week and Bible School for youth in the Summer
Our goal is to record the Sunday service and make this available for viewing at home
Currently during Covid we have virtual church services on Facebook and the church website.
Through NURTURING
Fellowship hour after Sunday church service (virtual on Zoom at this time)
Monthly fellowship meals (before Covid)
Congregational Care Committee stays in contact with members
Emails and cards are sent to members
Through MISSIONS
Over the years we have supported various worldwide missions.
Currently we mainly support local community organizations
Are flexible and always open to new service opportunities |
How do you feel called to reach out to address the emerging needs of your community or constituency?
WPC is in the center of Woodstock, the county seat of Shenandoah County. This is a rural area with many immigrants living and working here.
Through WORSHIP
The back pew in the Sanctuary was removed to make room for wheelchairs
Our Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall are used on some Saturdays for a Latino Worship
Through NURTURING
The Presbyterian Men include all worship attendees at their monthly Breakfast and hold several well attended Free Will dinners during the year for the community
Talented knitters knit Prayer Shawls to be given to those who need comfort
The Presbyterian Preschool holds classes 5 days a week and uses the church library
Through MISSION
ESL and Civics Achieve classes are held in our education wing. When they outgrew the original space, the space above the wing was finished with the help from several of the students
Brown Bag Blessing provides lunches every Tuesday to anyone who asks
Batterers’ Intervention meets weekly
The Fellowship Hall is used by the community for any organizations' meetings
The Presbyterian Women collect for School Kits, Disaster Assistance, and Blankets Plus
The congregation provides Christmas gifts and caroling to all the residents at Skyline Terrace Nursing Home
The Bread of Life Food Pantry, started in 1987 by the United Methodist Church and WPC, is still supported
Monetary gifts as well as requested supplies are donated to the Shenandoah Alliance for Shelter and Response, the local women’s shelter |
How will this position help you to reach your vision and mission goals?
Be inspirational when preaching a sermon
o Focus on this church and local community
o Demonstrate concern for all members by development of a home visitation program
o Maintain and grow the spirit of hospitality in our church
o Focus on directing appropriate changes and outreach to attract families, young adults and youth to our church.
o Develop strategies to reach new people and bring them into the life of our church.
o Have a kind, generous and hospitable personality.
o Motivate others within the church towards meaningful service and contributions to the mission of the church.
o Provide strong congregational leadership that can organize and rally church membership to work together to get things done.
o Allow the congregation to be responsible for their work by promoting pride in what they do and a feeling of belonging during their participation in groups. |
Provide a description of the characteristics needed by the person who is open to being called to this congregation and or organization.
- A person who is a consistently effective preacher and worship leader; is able to inspire from the pulpit and communicates a clear and consistent message through sermons that are carefully prepared and artfully delivered. A person who projects a worship leadership presence.
- One who sees ahead clearly, keeping focused on the larger picture and can anticipate future consequences and trends. A person who can inspire vision and craft strategies to obtain this vision.
- We desire a person who does not fear taking appropriate risk to accomplish needed goals and does not fear challenging the status-quo.
- We need a change agent. A person having the ability to lead the change process successfully.
- One who always shows compassion by having the ability to suffer with others and acts as their advocate. Caring for others while concurrently keeping the congregation’s goals clearly in focus.
- The congregation desires a person with strong personal depth and spiritual grounding and demonstrates integrity. Nurtures a rich spiritual life and seeks the wisdom and guidance from mentors.
- A person who uses every experience in life as a potential tool for growth and pursues continuing education. One who does not hesitate to seek assistance.
- A person who fosters our community outreach by providing appropriate support and individual outreach to our stakeholder organizations and other churches.
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What specific tasks, assignments, and program areas will this person have responsibility?
- Lead worship weekly and special dates as determined by the Session. Presentation in person and/or virtually
- Serve Communion as approved by the Session, including home bound/nursing home members
- Supervise WPC staff, including but not limited to secretary, custodian, director of music.
- Conduct regular monthly staff meetings. Review performance with the Personnel Committee annually or as needed
- Serve as an advisory resource member to all WPC committees
- Lead Study Groups for participants of varying ages and interest; including Bible study, issues of PCUSA, our community, country and world with content geared for youth, working adults, single parents, seniors. Scheduling to be flexible
- Maintain an active presence in Shenandoah Presbytery. Encourage participation of WPC members
- Be familiar with non-WPC groups that use our facilities
- Be familiar with and willing to work with groups within our congregation, including but not limited to Presbyterian Women, Presbyterian Men, Presbyterian Preschool
- Communicate with all members, regular attending visitors and prospective members via home visits and/or phone calls as to preference of member. Coordinate with the Congregational Care Committee
- Visit home bound/nursing home members residents on a regular basis
- Be an active member of the Woodstock Ministerial Association. Participate in Community worship services
- Explore working with other congregations to organize a Community Youth group. We currently participate in Community Bible School.
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Optional Links
WPC: woodstockpresbyterianchurch.com
Shenandoah Presbytery: shenpres.org
Bread of Life Food Pantry: woodstockunitedmethodist.org/ministries/bread-of-life-food-pantry
Shenandoah County, including schools, demographics, libraries and government info:
shenandoahcountyva.us
Response Shelter for Women: responseva.org
Shenandoah Alliance for Shelter: allianceforshelter.org
Shenandoah Chamber of Commerce: shenandoahcountychamber.com |