Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Faith Classroom
Attendees: Rev Ev, Beth Fite (Chair/Lay Leader), Jimmy Porter, Audrey O’Donald, Mike LaRock, Carol Loyer, Sarah Wright, Jessica Grau, and Debra Hockey/secretary. Absent Gene Jones, Kennis Sigmon, Liz McCauley and Larry LaRue.
Welcome and Opening Remarks: The meeting began with Breakthrough Prayer.
Spiritual Formation given by Jessica Grau: Hurrying steals the best from us. God does not intend for us to hurry through life. Sometimes in our lives, we may plan for too many activities which cause us to be in a hurry mode. Galatians 5 verses 22 and 23, “ But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.” We need to slow down and reflect the fruit of the spirit.
Leadership Equipping: A handout was given on Discernment, specifically as we are discerning about Journey to Easter. The question is “ How is God calling us to share the story of Easter in this season of Haygood’s life?” For 10 years, Journey to Easter has been a meaningful ministry. Preparation, setup, staffing and cleanup require substantial effort from a congregation whose volunteer capacity is changing. Attendance has decreased since the beginning, but has been consistent in the last couple of years ( although last year because of one group from Richmond).
This is not just an event-planning decision. It is a decision about mission, stewardship, faithful leadership, and how Haygood will reach people with the resources God has entrusted to us. The goal is to discern faithfully-not preserve a tradition, react to declining participation, or choose the easiest path.
1. We begin with Scripture: What is Discernment? Romans 12:2 “Be transformed by the renewing of your minds. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Discernment requires us to examine our assumptions and allow God to reshape how we understand our mission. What worked faithfully in one season may need to change in another. James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” We are not expected to have every answer immediately. We are called to seek wisdom together, listen carefully, and remain open to perspectives beyond our own. The last scripture is Acts 15:28 “ For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us…”. The early church faced consequential questions about its future. Leaders listened to testimony, considered Scripture, debated differences, and reached a shared decision. Christian discernment is communal, prayerful, and grounded in faith.
2. Discernment is not the same as making a decision after collecting opinions. Preference asks: What do I want to happen? Problem-solving asks: How can we make this work? Discernment asks: What is God calling us to do, and how can we faithfully respond?
3. Separate the Mission from the Method - The mission to share the hope, love, and story of Easter with people in our community. The method we have used is a church-hosted experience requiring extensive volunteer preparation and participation. The discernment question is this still the best way for Haygood to fulfill the mission, or is God inviting us to take a break, partner, or to a different method of it?
4. Recognize What Makes Discernment Difficult - Tradition and attachment. Some people have invested a decade of their lives in this ministry. Changing it may feel like a loss. Volunteer fatigue - We must evaluate a ministry by how meaningful it is as well as whether the people needed to sustain it are available and willing to serve. Fear of letting go - We May worry that ending or changing the event means giving up on the mission.But releasing one method an create room for another. The attraction of a New Idea - A fresh approach can feel exciting, but new does not automatically mean faithful or effective. Any sort of program or outreach still requires relationships, ownership, and follow-through. These influences might make it harder for us to hear God’s direction clearly. The purpose of asking these questions is to help everyone recognize the difference between personal attachment and collective discernment.
5. Use a Discernment Framework - Mission alignment. Who is being reached, and what spiritual fruit are we seeing? Fruitfulness- Are we engaging people beyond our existing congregation? Are we building relationships that continue after Easter? Gifts and capacity/Sustainability - Does the ministry fit the people, gifts, energy, and resources available to Haygood today?
6. Discern the Actual Decision:we’ve discussed four paths toco sided. Option A: Continue, but simplify. Preserve the church-hosted experience while reducing its scope, setup requirements, volunteer shifts,and overall workload. Option B: Reimagine the ministry- Shift toward a smaller, portable, repeatable experience that travels into the community. Pilot it with settings such as retirement communities, colleges, and Haygood’s preschool. Option C:Continue as is - Do the best we can with the people we have. Option D: Conclude the existing event and redirect resources - Celebrate the ministry’s 10-year legacy and intentionally redirect volunteer energy toward other opportunities.
7. Questions for Discernment - What are we being called to preserve? What is most important about Journey to Easter? Consider the Gospel message, the experience of walking through the story, the relationships built, and the ministry’s legacy. What may God be asking us to release? What elements belong to the mission itself, and what elements are simply the way we have always done it? What can we faithfully sustain?What volunteer capacity, leadership, resources, and community partnerships can we realistically commit to without overburdening a few people? Who are we called to reach next? Who in our community needs to encounter the Easter story? What would it look like to meet them where they already are?
8. The Message to Remember- We are discerning how Haygood will faithfully share the Easter story in the years ahead. The ministry’s history deserves gratitude. Our present circumstances deserve honesty. And our future deserves playful imagination. The best outcome is a decision the board and Haygood can own together, grounded in mission, honest about capacity, and followed by faithful action.
Ongoing Business, Facilities: Gene Jones and Larry LaRue are working on the gutter quotes. The blacktop crack quotes were received. The filling of cracks cost is $9000. The sealant cost is $9500. The section of parking spaces closest to the building would cost $3654.00. This will be done as soon as possible. Also, we have a few ceiling tiles to be replaced near the Preschool entry.
Ongoing Business, Discernment on Journey to Easter: Phyllis Porter spoke on the Journey to Easter needs to continue the outreach. The response from the cohorts that were contacted was low. There is a need for more labor source. An email/survey will be sent to the congregation to address the need for additional labor. It was agreed the Journey to Easter committee would present on December 15 if able to move forward with the outreach.
Financials: A proposed budget for 2027 was handed out (and later approved via email after questions and adjustments).
2027 Kickoff: The date for the January LB kickoff will be on January 23rd from 8:00 am to 2:30.
Closing Prayer
Next Meeting: November 17 at 6:30 pm
