ONA Working Group
October 26, 2015
Present: Chris Davies, Peter Delaney, Ann Drake, Ivy Farinella, Mary Jarvis-Smith, Erik Ribera, Charlene Swietek, Donna Williams
The meeting was opened at 7:14 by Charlene Swietek. Charlene distributed the agenda, and stated the primary focus of the meeting would be to choose specific dates for events and put them on the church calendar.
There was discussion of the ways we can be welcoming to any disenfranchised group. Suggestions were made, including a movie night, having someone embody the story, and widening our education by having speakers who have lived this experience.
A movie night may include SPF inviting their parents and the congregation. There was discussion of the selection of an appropriate movie—documentary, humorous, other. Chris will send a movie assignment to each committee member for previewing, and will include a list of universal questions to guide discussion. It was suggested that the month of January would be a good time, and the date of January 10, with a snow date of January 17, was selected.
Ivy mentioned that the locations of the question boxes be made during the announcements on Sunday. Locations in four places were mentioned: the Community Room, the Gathering Room, the church office, and the Reception Room. A sign should be placed next to each box that describes the purpose of the box and the process for depositing questions in it.
A bulletin board for the Community Room was proposed. This could contain pertinent announcements of coming events, Bible verses, and the question box. Chris will design the background for this board.
A lending library of books was suggested with the format of a “Little Free Library”. There is one on Foster Street, and Ann will contact Matt to ask if he can create a “rainbow” one.
A moment of testimony from working group members and others at church services on Sunday, telling why we are excited about this process of exploration, was suggested, with the message, “This is the reason I am part of this group.” Charlene added that visibility is important.
Inviting a guest preacher and a panel of several people will be scheduled later in 2016, as will a speaker or speakers on their own experience, or that of a church which has been through this process. Peter suggested a musical night with an invited folk musician.
Events that have been tentatively scheduled are:
Nov. 2015-May 2016 Individual testimonies
January 10, 2016 Movie night
February (early) Folk musician
Feb.-April Informal discussions
April Toscano Peterson (speaker)
Tasks to be completed include preparing a bulletin board with pictures, information, events, a Lending Library, the rainbow boxes, inserts in the Parish Post and weekly bulletins.
On Friday, November 20, the Metropolitan Community Church of Hartford, at 155 Wyllys Street (in the Parish House, Church of the Good Shepherd) will hold the 17th Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance at 7 p.m. and all are invited to this free event. Chris described it as a deeply powerful service which will give deeper meaning to our involvement.
The meeting concluded with a prayer led by the Reverend Chris Davies at approximately 9:10.
Notes compiled by Ann Drake
October 26, 2015
Present: Chris Davies, Peter Delaney, Ann Drake, Ivy Farinella, Mary Jarvis-Smith, Erik Ribera, Charlene Swietek, Donna Williams
The meeting was opened at 7:14 by Charlene Swietek. Charlene distributed the agenda, and stated the primary focus of the meeting would be to choose specific dates for events and put them on the church calendar.
There was discussion of the ways we can be welcoming to any disenfranchised group. Suggestions were made, including a movie night, having someone embody the story, and widening our education by having speakers who have lived this experience.
A movie night may include SPF inviting their parents and the congregation. There was discussion of the selection of an appropriate movie—documentary, humorous, other. Chris will send a movie assignment to each committee member for previewing, and will include a list of universal questions to guide discussion. It was suggested that the month of January would be a good time, and the date of January 10, with a snow date of January 17, was selected.
Ivy mentioned that the locations of the question boxes be made during the announcements on Sunday. Locations in four places were mentioned: the Community Room, the Gathering Room, the church office, and the Reception Room. A sign should be placed next to each box that describes the purpose of the box and the process for depositing questions in it.
A bulletin board for the Community Room was proposed. This could contain pertinent announcements of coming events, Bible verses, and the question box. Chris will design the background for this board.
A lending library of books was suggested with the format of a “Little Free Library”. There is one on Foster Street, and Ann will contact Matt to ask if he can create a “rainbow” one.
A moment of testimony from working group members and others at church services on Sunday, telling why we are excited about this process of exploration, was suggested, with the message, “This is the reason I am part of this group.” Charlene added that visibility is important.
Inviting a guest preacher and a panel of several people will be scheduled later in 2016, as will a speaker or speakers on their own experience, or that of a church which has been through this process. Peter suggested a musical night with an invited folk musician.
Events that have been tentatively scheduled are:
Nov. 2015-May 2016 Individual testimonies
January 10, 2016 Movie night
February (early) Folk musician
Feb.-April Informal discussions
April Toscano Peterson (speaker)
Tasks to be completed include preparing a bulletin board with pictures, information, events, a Lending Library, the rainbow boxes, inserts in the Parish Post and weekly bulletins.
On Friday, November 20, the Metropolitan Community Church of Hartford, at 155 Wyllys Street (in the Parish House, Church of the Good Shepherd) will hold the 17th Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance at 7 p.m. and all are invited to this free event. Chris described it as a deeply powerful service which will give deeper meaning to our involvement.
The meeting concluded with a prayer led by the Reverend Chris Davies at approximately 9:10.
Notes compiled by Ann Drake