In March, the Ministries Team (formerly known as the Mission Movement Team), composed of members of Stewardship and Cabinet, reported their review of passions and ministries identified at the February 26 special worship service. Ten of these ministries are ready to begin; convener(s) names are in parentheses. Cabinet affirmed these ministries:
1. Golf Outings for Kent UCC (Mike Carr)
2. Caring Ministry: visit others less fortunate or homebound; help develop program for shut-ins; this ministry connects with Pastor Heather’s new ministry team (Anna Mae Pyle, Roger Duvall, Anne Brown, Heather Wicks)
3. Tutoring Ministry: Establish an after-school tutoring program in collaboration with Kent State College of Education and Kent UCC (Melody Tankersley, Bailey McWilliams-Woods)
4. Creative Worship: Bring out talents of youth to incorporate into worship service; incorprate more modern music & drama into service with youth involvement; this ministry will work in collaboration with the worship committee focusing on infusing creative arts into worship (Rachelle Roeger, Taylor McWilliams-Woods, Danyelle Davis, Guinevere Rhoads)
5. Music & Theater Ministries: Dinner theater and music programs for the community (Bill Hoover, Nancy Stillwagon, Denise Seachrest, Johnna Lillich, Julie Wallace, Taylor McWilliams-Woods, Wendy McWilliams-Woods)
6. Community Dinners: Meal programs for community, as well as teaching simple cooking skills and preparing meals on a budget (Barb Marken, Heather Wicks, Rolf Wicks, Barb Donaho)
7. Parenting Programs: Engage/find support/offer support to those in church and the local community for parenting resources (Melody Tankersley, Monica Bricker-Thompson)
8. On-line Worship Services: Help get our services on-line (audio and video) (Melody Tankersley, Jackie Peck)
9. Art Ministries: Display art from members of the church on a rotating basis throughout the church with a bio of the artist (Bill Peck)
10. Environmental Ministries: Help the church become a GREEN church and support other community environmental issues (Marilyn Sorrick, Edith Chase)
Another very popular ministry was "Service Projects." Sixteen members of the congregation identified interest in this ministry. Each of them wants to be involved in community-based hands-on outreach activities. The Ministries Team (formerly known as the Mission Movement Team) will determine how to create a way to identify projects and plug people into opportunities where the church can participate.