Saint Matthew's Episcopal Church - The Chronicle: May 2005

The Chronicle: May 2005

Story: Saint Matthew's Focus Group Results

Thank you to all who attended the Focus Group meetings earlier this year. We appreciate your input. Here are the most common answers for each question asked during the Focus Groups.

Question 1: When you close your eyes and dream about Saint Matthew's and your experience in this congregation, what is the first thing that comes to mind?

! God, Spiritual Growth, Love the Lord ! People- friends and family

! Welcoming congregation- warmth ! Need for space as we continue to grow

Question 2: In a word or two, what do you believe are Saint Matthew's heart, soul, and strength?

! Jesus Christ ! People- positive attitude of the congregation ! Leadership ! Service and ministry- Food Bank, educational opportunities

Question 3: In one sentence, what do you believe is Saint Matthew's greatest asset that could make a move to the Germann site possible?

! Jesus Christ, behind and ahead of us ! People- lay and clergy leadership

! Gift of land and Diocesan support ! We are growing, so we need space

Question 4: When you envision Saint Matthew's on Germann Road, what is the one thing you hope you will find when you arrive?

! God, space to worship ! Warm place and people ! Well thought out grounds

What is the one thing you hope you don't find there?

! Unhappy faces, negative feelings ! Too large a place without connections

! Poor layout of grounds

Question 5: What is your top MUST for our new church site?

! Ample parking

Question 6: In a word or two, when you think about Saint Matthew's moving from its present location to a new campus on Germann Road, what is your greatest fear?

! Loss of members during the move ! Financial problems- a large mortgage

! Congregation loses closeness that now exists

What is your greatest hope?

! That we continue to grow ! Trust God in the process

! That we stay a nice place for people to come to

Question 7: In one word, when it comes to spending money for new facilities, which area, facility or item gets the money first?

! Sanctuary

Germann and Mc Queen Task Force

Fr. John Hall has assembled a Task Force to plan for a move to the 30 plus acres of land that was donated to the Diocese of Arizona for the purpose of building a new Episcopal Church in Chandler. The Germann and Mc Queen Task Force has been assigned the following responsibilities:

! To consult and assist on the fund raising strategy and campaign.

! To consult and recommend to the Vestry, Rector, and Bishop a financing strategy for the building of Saint Matthew's at the new site.

! To consult and recommend to the Vestry, Rector, and Bishop on procuring the services of an architect and builder.

! To present a design plan to the Vestry, Rector, and Bishop.

Please keep the Task Force in your prayers.