At the end of 2025, First Church had a change in our senior pastor, and the Church Council and Administrative Board approved a 2026 budget that had a projected deficit of almost $80,000. In response, church leaders and staff initiated conversations about the future of First Church. And it was these conversations that led to the formation of a strategic planning team that eventually called themselves First Church Forward, or FCF.
The formation of the team began by collecting nominations from the congregation. By February of 2026, the team was assembled. The members are Teresa Canady, Claire Gebben, Sony Purba, Dan Gustafson, Peter Jabin, Chris Russell, and Pastor Elizabeth, along with Barbara Moreland representing the Church Council and Jim Schone as chair of the Administrative Board.
The team met twice a month from March through May to explore what First Church was being called to be and to do at this point in our history. From these deep, thoughtful discussions came revisions to the statements of the mission, vision, and priorities of First Church.
The FCF Team briefed the congregation on the outcome of those deliberations at a Lunch and Learn on May 17, followed by a presentation on June 17 to a joint meeting of the Church Council and Administrative Board. And the entire FCF Team met with Pastor DJ during his first week on the job to introduce him to their work.
We are now beginning to implement the recommendations from the FCF Team. One of the most significant is the Quarterly Planning Meeting, the first of which will be held from 9:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday, September 12, in Fellowship Hall. All committee chairs will gather to talk about their plans for the remaining months of 2026, and how those plans align with the priorities of the FCF work. These sessions of planning and working together will lead to valuable collaboration and ensure that all our work is aligned with the FCF priorities: Building Relationships; Nurturing Spiritual Growth; Stewarding our Resources; and Sharing our Story.
While all this collective work is going on, the Stewardship and Finance Committees have already begun working toward the goal of a balanced budget proposal for 2027.
We promise to regularly share more as we continue implementation of the First Church Forward process. And we welcome your questions. Thank you for your support!
Jim Schone
Chair of the Administrative Board