Program Possibilities Conversation – 10/25/2009 and 12/20/2009 Consolidated

Theme: Program Possibilities (Two-Circle Composite, sorted into similar response clusters)

Circle Participants: Carolyn Mitchell, Gene Bullock, Donna Moore, Betty Petras, Nancy Frank, Donna Mohr, John McCann, Diane McCann, Mary Romeo, Sally Wilson, and Richard Wilson

Question 1: What learning opportunities, small or large group experiences, and other program activities have you found most important or meaningful at Cedars?

The Faith and Reason video discussion series with Bill Moyers that Alan Miller and Diana Peters led (although some discussions seemed overly dominated by a few participants)

Spirituality and Sustainability Book Group discussions

The Spiritual Book Group

The Spiritual Odyssey Group

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Parenting programs

End-of-Life Issues programs

Rev. Julie led a Grief Circle that was very significant in allowing me to share feelings about the death of my spouse

The Transitions program and group that formed around that theme

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Sitting down and sharing with like-minded people

The Men’s Group

The small Men’s Group has provided a good basis for establishing interpersonal relationships

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Our tradition of Public Forums for the wider community, with guest speakers or panels on special subjects

Public Forums with panel presentations of interest to the larger community

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Interactive events like the Solstice Service today

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Worship Associates training

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Community Service Day drew tremendous response from participants as well as service recipients


Question 2: Of many program possibilities, from spirituality, social and environmental justice issues, to better care for ourselves and others, what areas should Cedars focus on in the future, short and long term?

After-service discussion of themes and content presented in the Sunday Service

It might be good to organize talk-back time to discuss interesting sermon themes with the ministers – maybe in a local restaurant after the services

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More small support groups of various kinds

Programs exploring issues not usually talked about would be good, like how family values are passed to children and teenagers

We should offer a program on issues around leaving one faith tradition and joining another

There was a good Meditation Group at one time that should be reestablished

The well-attended Women’s Retreat suggested there is loneliness that can be addressed by such a group

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Integrate singing with the children in a service for all ages

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Social and environmental activities now seem very strong, but we need more spiritual emphasis – messages from the heart

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I need experiential activities – where we experience and share, rather than just listen; I (different individual) also want more experientially-based activity – I enjoy discussion groups when sharing primary experiences, but not just for planning or conducting business

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We should organize more programs that provide a larger community presence for Cedars
Island and North Kitsap communities need to do more together, inform each other more – we should sponsor attractive programs in Poulsbo to draw more North Kitsap interest