The Episcopal Church in Almaden is a joyous congregation celebrating life through love and laughter. Our worship, education, fellowship and service programs are exciting and meaningful and draw people to us. A Christ-centered approach is important to our future as we strive to be good stewards of our church and community. We believe in our future because we know all things are possible through Christ.
The vision for ECA was created by the congregation during two workshops, using the Appreciative Inquiry process. The vision reflects what we like about ECA today and wish to continue as well as things we would like to see developed in the years to come.
In 2015, ECA will
offer a variety of worship opportunities that appeals to our diverse congregation.
- Broadened worship opportunities
- Evening Eucharist, e.g., Saturday, Sunday
- Taize/contemplative services
- Morning prayer
- Periodic shared Joint Venture services
- Children/Youth sermons
- Labyrinth
- Bible-centered sermons that relate to everyday life
- Maintain traditional focus for Sunday morning services
- Provide opportunities for children and for the whole family to participate in the service
In 2015, ECA will
have collaborative leadership between the rector and the laity to enable and support our programs through a strong commitment to stewardship.
- Leadership collaborating between
- Rector, vestry, congregation
- Joint Venture churches
- Parish and diocese
- Rector and vestry enable and support lay leadership
- Recruitment of leaders
- Leadership and ministry training
- Strong commitment to stewardship—time, talent, and treasure
- Support Cursillo community
In 2015, ECA will
provide a variety of music for worship and community arts through a vibrant music ministry.
- Variety in worship music
- Traditional
- Folk
- Contemporary
- Bells
- Children’s choir
- Community arts (music, theatre, concerts) for outreach
- Committed music director to enhance our Music Ministry for both worship and outreach
In 2015, ECA will
have a comprehensive, dynamic youth program involving both the congregation and the community.
- Rector directly involved in youth programs
- Youth-centered sermons/music
- Youth center
- Young-adult programs
- Mission trips
- Youth activities involving the whole family
In 2015, ECA will
provide pastoral care to members in need and the community at large.
- Pastoral rector with a warm and compassionate personality
- Rector support for lay pastoral care
- Training for pastoral care
- Inreach and outreach through pastoral care
- Prayer ministry
- Hospital and shut-in visitations
- Welcome new members into the church
- Follow up with first-time visitors
- Welcoming events, e.g., brunch
- Reach out to new families
In 2015, ECA will
serve the community through caring outreach opportunities and community classes.
- More outreach opportunities
- Service to community
- Feeding the hungry
- Mission trips
- Events for children
- Short-term and long-term programs
- Community classes
- Parenting
- Computer literacy
- Finance/budgeting
- Job search
- Evangelize through outreach
In 2015, ECA will
engage our children, youth, and adults in a variety of educational programs.
- Expand Sunday school and youth programs
- Adult Christian education opportunities
- Bible study
- After-service forums
- Short courses
- Confirmation classes
- Community education
- Vacation Bible school
- Adult seminars
- Adult inquiry classes
In 2015, ECA will
value and strongly support our Joint Venture.
- Valued and strongly supported by both congregations
- Collaborative leadership
- Strengthen one another through prayer/love/friendship/work
- Enhanced beauty and functionality of the building and grounds
- Shared education opportunities
- Sunday school
- Adult and youth
- Periodic shared services
- Joint outreach programs
- Joint fellowship events
In 2015, ECA will
celebrate our community through joyous fellowship.
- Continue our current fellowship activities
- Schedule monthly social events
- Small groups, e.g., dinner groups
- Informal fellowship opportunities
- New opportunities, both casual and structured
- Evangelize through fellowship