New Mission Statement and Strategic Priorities Adopted at Congregational Meeting  November 10

A round of enthusiastic applause followed the adoption of Mount Zion’s chosen new set of Strategic Priorities. It was the second of two critical motions carried at the Sunday, November 5 congregational meeting by the nearly 50 people who attended. 

After some discussion, by the end of the meeting, Mount Zion had a new Mission Statement and a set of Strategic Priorities.

Our new Mission Statement describes our reason for existence –what we will do and who we will serve is,

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“Striving to reflect God’s unconditional love, we are committed to understanding

and acting on the needs of society and God’s creation. We respond to those

needs with our gifts, talents, skills and assets.“

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The three strategic directions the congregation set for themselves for the next two to three years are in the Ministry Areas of Leadership and Administration, Worship and Music, and Programs Supporting Social Determinants of Health. Each of these categories contains priorities and strategies to move forward. The priorities and the mission statement were informed by gathering information gleaned through recent surveys, congregational meetings and work the congregation has completed in the past.

We were reminded by Karen Bjerland, who has been facilitating this initiative, that sustaining ourselves and our ministries into the future is the ultimate goal of the process.

I think that Church Council is excited that we have some guidelines and a process for our future deliberations. Our next step is to contact possible partners in each area we adopted.

We have come a long way since last March when we began. We will take a short moment to celebrate what we have achieved to date, take a deep breath, and move on to the next step.

And once again, we are very thankful for the leadership provided by Karen Bjerland. Thank you! Nov 10, 23

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Mount Zion’s Updated Core Values and Vision Statement

Based on congregational feedback gathered on April 30, 2023

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This report has been prepared for the members of Mount Zion. It provides a summary of the congregation’s updated Core Values and Vision Statement, which were revised based on feedback members provided at the congregational meeting held on April 30. Some (not all!) of the suggestions from members included:

• Add a preamble to communicate that we are equipped and led by God;

• Remove definition for “faith” from the definition for “faithfulness”;

• Include Mount Zion’s relationship with Indigenous communities;

• Remove the word “equality” from the definition for “justice”;

• Build on our strengths; we are already acting on many of the core values;

• Reference stewardship.

 

All member feedback was carefully considered to clarify and simplify the language so that members and the community around us can articulate Mount Zion’s core beliefs and our hope for the future. Mount Zion’s Core Values and the Vision Statement work together as complementary elements of our congregation’s identity statements. One builds on the other. The Core Values are listed first because they incorporate more detailed language, which we trust will help to clarify our understanding of the Vision Statement.

 

Council accepted the updated Core Values and Vision Statement on May 11, 2023, and will be asking members to approve them at a congregational meeting following worship on June 4, 2023. 

 

 

UPDATED CORE VALUES

 

Preamble:

Equipped by the teachings of the Scriptures and empowered by the Holy Spirit, the people of Mount Zion embrace these core values:

 

Faithfulness:

• We are called to be true to God and to one another through our actions of love, compassion and our desire for justice.

 

Inclusivity: 

• We value our desire and ability to include all people, regardless of age, ability, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and religious practice into our community.

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Justice:

• We work with our neighbours and communities to break down barriers and provide equitable access to resources and opportunities.

• We are entrusted to be stewards of the earth, our own resources and all of God’s Creation, ensuring sustainable outcomes for our and future generations.

• We strive to further our understanding of justice in its many forms, including Indigenous reconciliation, and be leaders in our response.

 

Looking Outward

• Mount Zion is not a community in isolation. We respond to the needs and perspectives of all with love and compassion.

 

Looking Forward:

• Courageously looking forward to a sustainable future, we build on our strengths and explore new ideas and partnerships.

 

 

UPDATED VISION STATEMENT

 

Mount Zion’s Vision for the Future:

 

               We are stirred and guided by God to become an even

more caring, joyful and diverse Christian community,

serving all Creation by striving for justice.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Gastmeier, on behalf of Church Council

May 16, 2023

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