Diocese of the Rio Grande: Phase I Congregational Workbook
Phase I is an opportunity for the church to remember what is essential about what we do and to strengthen our ministries, our churches, and our relationships with our neighbors. Try new patterns of prayer, find spiritual practices which can sustain you if you have to be at home for a long time. Find ways to connect with others to share God’s love and care. Some of the things we learn in Phase I will become part of what it means for us to be church in the future. We need to be intentional about what we carry forward and what we let go of. God is present now, God is not waiting for us to gather in church, God is with us.
If Phase I lasts for months, we will keep our focus on Jesus and he will provide for our daily needs.
As we get good at being church in phase I, please ensure that any steps or activities are done in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. You should check with legal counsel for your congregation, and/or one of the Chancellors, if and as needed.
This workbook is meant to help congregations methodically review their Phase I activities as we work together to establish a solid foundation for our congregations as we move forward through Phase II and Phase III.
This workbook will ask a series of questions in the areas of Liturgy & Formation, Administration & Finance, Pastoral Care, and Outreach & Community Ministry, to help you detail the steps your congregation has already undertaken in Phase I or may need to consider before moving to Phase II.
Every Vestry/Bishop’s Committee is required to certify the answers to this form. We recommend that you distribute the PDF version of this form to the members of your Vestry/Bishop’s Committee in advance in order to give participants time to reflect on the questions before submitting the form.
On the line below please submit the email of the best person for the Diocesan office to contact as we follow up to these form submissions.