TRUU is currently engaged in a Visioning process that began when Deb Holder came to visit us in mid October.  After the Sunday service she led those of us who stayed for her workshop in Appreciative Inquiry (AI), a method that we are using to engage as much of the congregation as possible, in the formulation of TRUU’s vision.  The original visioning committee met after Deb’s workshop and was made up of Thelma Zabel, Cathy Schermer, Barbara Palmer, Nicolette Toussaint and Gretchen Haley.  In order to broaden the responses from that first group of people who met in October we invited those in leadership positions at TRUU to respond to the AI questions at a gathering in November. Gretchen has made a “word cloud” that many of you have seen that summarizes the findings of our interviews.  Hoping to get responses from at least 50 members and regularly attending friends, we are now meeting with the last few folks who’ve not had an opportunity to respond.

This is an exciting time for TRUU as we determine the values, needs, opportunities, and possibilities that members of the congregation hold dear.  This visioning process will show us how to strengthen the best of what we now have and build on those emerging areas of importance as we seek to fulfill our mission.  As we identify projects and plans for next year we will also identify resources, both human and monetary, needed to actualize our plans.   Gretchen continues to add to the word cloud and at our February meeting the Board will look at these findings and categorize responses in preparation for our all congregation celebration in March that will include next year’s budget and pledge packets.  The Stewardship Committee currently consists of Pat Seydel, Bill Spence, Kate McGinniss-Feinzig and Gretchen Haley.  If any of you would like to join this committee, please contact Gretchen or me.

Thelma Zabel, TRUU Board President