Leadership Board

The Chelsea First Leadership Board carefully considered a proposal during its April 13 meeting for the church to more actively support immigrant families by joining with other area churches.

The Leadership Board also approved the church’s participation in the Trek for Vets event coming to Chelsea in May and set Aug. 4 as the date of the board’s annual planning retreat.

Support for immigrant neighbors: The Leadership Board had an important discussion regarding a recommendation from the Social Justice Action Team to formally join the Washtenaw Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights network of area churches.

Joining this group would allow Chelsea First to more vigorously live out the congregation’s commitment to be a “vibrant, intentionally inclusive, justice seeking faith community.”

While there was strong desire to support immigrant neighbors in these unsettled times, there were a number of questions about what it actually means for Chelsea First to be a more active part of this effort.

Taking this next step “is a wonderful opportunity to take a stand that is aligned with our values, grounded in the most important commandment ‘to love thy neighbor’ as followers of Jesus,” the Social Justice Action Team wrote in its proposal. Additional steps could include posting signs that on-duty ICE agents are not welcome at Chelsea First, hosting trainings related to immigrant rights for community members or posting a sign indicating that Chelsea First supports our immigrant neighbors.

Vicki and Gene Utke, who attended the Leadership Board meeting as representatives of the team, will gather additional information in the weeks ahead to resubmit the team’s request in advance of the Leadership Board’s next meeting, May 10.

Trek for Vets: The Leadership Board unanimously approved a request from the Rev. Rodney Gasaway for Chelsea First to lead the May 22 Trek for Vets event that will pass through Chelsea as part of a statewide events in support of military veterans. Rodney and other Chelsea First volunteers, working with other community members, will greet veterans at the M-52 roundabout north of Chelsea and walk with them into town for an evening meal. There is no additional funding impact for this event.

Annual planning session: The Leadership Board has scheduled its annual planning retreat for Aug. 4 and is in the process of determining a summer date for a town hall session ahead of the planning session.

This annual session is typically when Leadership Board members take stock of progress toward goals for the current year and outline goals for the new year, starting in January.

Among other items addressed during the April 13 meeting were these:

• David Shaw led a discussion about integrating spiritual disciplines into our lives by sharing how he integrates prayer and spiritual reflection into his weekly schedule. He talked about setting aside time each day for reflection or prayer and using online tools or other resources for support. Among the other tips he shared were reciting spontaneous prayers instantly when you see or hear a prayer-worthy event; taking notes about a Bible reading right in your Bible; reading the Bible in small bites to allow for reflection.
• Rick Fitzgerald shared best practices for good church communications and cited Chelsea First as an example for many of the key elements. Among the benchmarks cited for good church communications are clear, concise messages, the use of multiple communication channels and regular assessment of success. He also cited Chelsea First communications as excellent examples of these best practices.
• Pastor Joy Barrett shared brief update on three overall church goals for this year – lifelong faith formation, hospitality and church demographics. Groups dedicated to each goal are moving forward with planning and execution of those plans.
• Monthly consent agenda items were approved unanimously. These items include the minutes of the March meeting and the February consolidated financial report.