Embedded Files
April Updates
Consolidation Meeting:
On April 14, the Consolidation Core Team met at Hilltop Lutheran Church of the Ascension and welcomed Missy Schroeder from the Indiana-Kentucky Synod, who provided guidance and answered questions about the consolidation process. She encouraged the team to move thoughtfully, focus on building relationships, and remember that consolidation is a multi-year journey of forming a new shared identity. The team also reviewed next steps for launching additional task forces and continuing opportunities for prayer, listening, and congregational engagement. Our next joint service will be held on May 31 at First English Lutheran Church, followed by Listening Posts for conversation and feedback.
Legal and Governance Task Force:
It is time to think of coming together with our new identity. The Legal and Governance Task Force is requesting your input on your suggestions as to a new name for our congregation; we are interested in any and all suggestions and perhaps give a little reasoning as to what your suggestion means to you. We will be accepting these suggestions until Sunday, May 17. These suggestions can be emailed to the presidents of your congregation. Alternatively they can be written on a slip of paper and placed in your offering plates. Thank you in advance for your input, these are very exciting times.
Property Task Force:
The Property Task Force met on April 22 at Gloria Dei to begin identifying the features they would love to have and need to have in a future shared space. The team also discussed the strengths of each current church building—Gloria Dei, Hilltop Lutheran, and First English Lutheran—and noted areas where improvements may be needed. Seth is compiling and quantifying the group’s feedback, and Rachelle will begin working to identify a real estate agent to support the process before the next meeting.
March Updates
On March 3, the Consolidation Core Team met at Hilltop Lutheran Church of the Ascension to continue organizing the work of the consolidation process. The team finalized task force areas and will begin inviting members from all three congregations to participate in these groups. The Core Team also approved a working mission statement to guide the process and discussed the importance of ensuring that our commitment to “welcoming all” reflects genuine inclusion.
“Rooted in the love of our Triune God, we are growing in faith-filled relationships, welcoming all, and living with compassion and generosity for our neighbors and the world.”
The next meeting will include a conversation with a representative from the Indiana-Kentucky Synod about the consolidation steps on April 14 from 6:30 to 8:00 PM at Hilltop Lutheran Church.
February Updates
On February 3, the Consolidation Core Team held its first meeting at First English Lutheran Church. Team members from Hilltop, First English, and Gloria Dei introduced themselves and shared what they value most about their congregations, and the pastors reviewed the Indiana-Kentucky Synod’s steps for consolidation. The group also began organizing the work ahead by identifying roles and potential task forces to guide the process.
Our next meeting is on March 3 from 6:30 to 8:00 PM at Hilltop Lutheran Church.
Listening Session Updates
After church services on November 9 and 16, we hosted listening sessions to gather feedback and ask questions related to the letter below.
Click here to view the summary and notes from the two listening sessions.
Consolidation Letter to Congregation (Gloria Dei).docxPage updated
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