DISCOVER TRUE COMMUNITY
St. Thomas Episcopal Church Vision Action Plan, 2024-2026 Compiled by the Visioning Committee and Adopted by the Vestry on December 19, 2023. Click here to read the entire plan.
By God’s great mercy, we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (1 Peter 1.3)
ST. THOMAS EPISCOPAL CHURCH VISION ACTION PLAN 2024
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Pet. 1.3).
Core Values
The congregation of St. Thomas values people. As we continue to draw others into True Community with others and with Christ, we hold these values deeply:
• Welcoming all people.
• Hospitality, Fellowship, and Community life.
• Excellence in liturgical worship.
• A compassionate heart for those in need.
Mission/Purpose
Living and proclaiming the love of Jesus Christ in a welcoming and authentic community.
Vision
We seek to be a growing, vibrant, and inviting congregation that fosters Christian transformation among all people.
Ministry to Families
St. Thomas Church finds itself in a changing demographic context that includes couples with and without children, single-parent households, retirees, and singles of all ages. While our strengths in pastoral care and visitation remain strong to an older demographic and will continue, expansion of our reach to younger families with school-age children to broaden and enrich our church community must become a priority in the next three years.
1. Take measures to demonstrate a child/family-friendly atmosphere. a. Install a playground. b. Move the nursery to the library.
2. Offer affordable childcare.
3. Begin an afterschool program for elementary students.
4. Establish programs for senior parish members.
5. Hire a Minister for Youth and Technology or
6. Hire an Associate Priest to minister to families.
Inspired Christian Formation
St. Paul writes, “be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). Christian education, spiritual practices, meaningful worship, and prayer/study groups are ways that we deepen our spirituality and relationship with the Living God. We will provide and participate in opportunities for spiritual growth and education to enrich lives, deepen faith, and increase discipleship.
1. Establish an ongoing adult Christian education program.
2. Start a weekday evening worship/study offering with childcare provided.
3. Implement a speaker series, open to the public, that includes discussions on community, faith, and other enriching topics.
4. Encourage participation in diocesan-wide Cursillo and Happening.
5. Identify enriching music options for various worship services.
6. Establish a monthly social event that includes fellowship activities.
7. Hire Minister for Youth and Technology 3
Evangelism
This word only means “sharing the good news of God in Christ.” We share this news by telling others – at home, at work, at play – that we find joy worshipping at St. Thomas, and we think others will find that joy here too. Therefore, we will be intentionally present in the Palm Coast community by raising our profile through service and publicity while demonstrating our joy of knowing and serving Christ in others. The ministries of evangelism and outreach have some overlap.
1. Establish an inclusive committee (combine communications and outreach).
2. Develop a marketing and communications plan to include social media.
3. Purchase branded items and make them available (t-shirts, golf shirts, mugs, tote bags, etc.).
4. Increase STEC presence in the community by attending at least 3 community events annually.
5. Launch a new website that is more user-friendly and attractive. (Accomplished)
6. Hire a Minister for Youth and Technology
7. Explore participation with Flagler Volunteer Services.
Increased Generosity
The people of St. Thomas are generous in many ways. The tireless work invested in our fellowship events, outreach efforts, and worship services is evident. The sweat equity in keeping our grounds and buildings maintained is remarkable. Giving our time and talent is important, and so is giving our treasure. We must recognize that the resources needed for the mission and ministry of a parish the size of St. Thomas are significant. Therefore, we will focus on the Christian aspect of giving to meet our goals toward church growth by inspiring a broader range of increased annual giving, encouraging Legacy Giving and other special gifts, and implementing new and innovative methods for giving as we grow and embrace our future.
1. Create a culture of generosity through year-round stewardship, seeking to educate all parishioners to be faithful and joyous givers.
a. Raise budget awareness of how funds support mission and ministry.
b. Highlight the impact of giving (how are lives being changed?)
c. Raise awareness of ways of giving, including electronic giving (Venmo, ACH, non-operating, Legacy).
2. Form a building fund and other non-operating options to give to.
Servant Ministry Development
Not only did our survey reveal a need to encourage more members to serve in an array of ministries at St. Thomas, but we also hear this need coming from those who serve diligently and regularly to make St. Thomas the lively parish community it is. To live into the joyous future that God calls us into, we will find ways to connect new and existing members to ministries that enliven our church community.
1. Establish the Invite, Welcome, Connect program.
2. A September Back to Church Sunday table to actively recruit for ministries.
3. Develop a video highlighting each ministry offering.
4. Create a directory with personal profiles that include talents and abilities.
5. Encourage St. Thomas heads of ministries to be more visible and vocal.
*A vital goal for the success of all the above is to renovate the parish hall entirely. This includes audio, lighting, and soundproofing, to create a multi-use, versatile space for education, fellowship, guest speakers, children’s activities, outreach, and much more.
*To fully realize our highest goals, a full-time staff position encompassing youth leadership (middle-high school), worship technology, and website/electronic communications would be ideal. (This addresses goals for Ministry to Families, Evangelism and Outreach, and Inspired Christian Formation.