Reviewing Membership

This announcement by the Congregation Council has been presented at worship and is posted here to ensure as many people as possible know about it:

I want to take a moment to share an update on something the Congregation Council has been working on. According to our congregation constitution, we’re called to review our membership records each year. For various reasons—many outside of our control—that hasn’t happened for a number of years. So this year, we’re taking steps to thoughtfully and prayerfully complete that review.

Our congregation’s by-laws say that if a confirmed member hasn’t participated in Holy Communion, contributed to the congregation’s financial program, or been involved in worship and church life over the course of a year, they’re considered inactive. If that continues into a second year, the member is to be contacted and encouraged to return to active participation.

After reviewing our membership records, we’ve found that there are a large number of people who meet this criteria. For this reason, the Council has decided to contact these individuals by letter instead of in person. These letters will be mailed out in the coming weeks.

Please know—this is not meant to be harsh or judgmental in any way. Our hope is that this letter will feel like a warm invitation: a welcome back for anyone we may have lost touch with, a way to learn if someone has joined another church, or an opportunity to help someone reconnect with a church home—whether that’s here or somewhere else.

Of course, despite our best efforts, someone may receive a letter by mistake. If that happens, please accept our sincere apologies—we truly mean no offense, and we ask for your forgiveness.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to talk to any member of the Congregation Council. Thank you for your understanding and your support.

The list of current members of our Council and the current versions of our Constitution and By-laws are posted on the Governance page.