On May 4th, at a congregational meeting, we launched our Strategic Plan implementation by identifying four different teams focused on growing our membership by making St Peters a more welcoming church (if you missed this meeting, see the video below and on our YouTube page):

• The Welcoming Spaces Team is led by Clark Davis and is working on near-term projects to be implemented immediately, as well as creating a long-term master plan for our grounds and facilities. 
• The SPEC Connects Team is led by Peter Boumgarden and they are identifying ways to better connect our membership including new fellowship events.
• The Worship Experiences Team is led by Cyd Alloway and they are working on ways to put more people in the pews and embracing radical/gracious hospitality.
• The Outreach Coordinating Committee is led by Matt Sokolich and Chris Knight and is strengthening our existing Outreach Ministries while looking for “God-Sized” opportunities to serve our community.

So far, this summer these teams are getting organized and recruiting more members. We now have 52 volunteers on these committees, which sounds like a lot, but we need many more. SPEC Connects and Worship Experiences is especially looking for more members. If you are interested in becoming a member of any of these teams, please contact Ben Park at or 907-299-6247.

We hope you will consider how you can be part of this process, and join us as we move forward into this exciting time.  

7/15/25 UPDATE ON WELCOMING SPACES COMMITTEE

The committee had their kick-off meeting on July 1. They affirmed many of their improvement ideas that were identified earlier in the visioning process. The group adopted our committee charter and suggested process for moving forward.

A few of the next steps discussed included:

• Conversations with clergy, staff, volunteer leaders and other stakeholders about facility needs -- what's working, what's not, and what's missing. 
• Immediate action on short-term improvements like a campus map and clearer directional signage to welcome and direct visitors.

Some larger scale projects under consideration and being discussed include:

• An "arcade" connection to the Little Building
• Removing the Little Building and replacing it with a new addition to the main building with floor levels aligned.
• A new exterior ramp for handicapped access to our lower level.

The Welcoming Spaces Committee will be meeting again in the next several weeks to continue progress on the short- and long-term project ideas.

Clark Davis ( )

7/21/2025 UPDATE ON OUTREACH COORDINATING COMMITTEE

This outlines the goals of the Outreach Coordinating Committee (OCC) and the key volunteer roles we are seeking to fill from within the St. Peter’s congregation. As you read through these descriptions, we invite you to prayerfully consider how you might be called to participate.

Detailed responsibilities for each role are provided below. If you have any questions, please reach out to Chris Knight ( ) or Matt Sokolich ( ).

The OCC, as envisioned by the Outreach Committee, is intended to enhance the visibility and transparency of St. Peter’s outreach ministries. By doing so, we hope to make it easier for parishioners and their families to understand the variety of ministries offered, the volunteer opportunities available, and how they can engage in ways that align with their interests and availability.

Through this more intentional and organized approach, our ultimate goal is to expand both the number of outreach ministries and the level of parishioner involvement—something that has been a consistent aspiration within our community over the past decade.

KEY GOALS:

The following goals were put forward by the Outreach Visioning Committee in their final report published in the fall of 2024:

• Improve efficiency and visibility of current outreach ministries in order to expand parishioner involvement.
• Grow the number of outreach ministries in service to our community while expanding opportunities for volunteer engagement.
• Create a visioning committee to explore the possibilities for SPEC involvement in development of transformational God-sized dream ministries in our community.

OCC Roles:

Facilitators (2–3 individuals)

Help the congregation gain a clear understanding of our outreach ministries and how to engage with them by:

• Developing and implementing a clear project management process for all outreach ministries that outlines specific tasks, timelines, and collaboration between church staff and volunteers. (Note: This process is currently underway and scheduled for completion in September.)
• Coordinating ministry activities in collaboration with Ministry Leads and church staff once tasks and timelines are established.
• Sharing the stories of our outreach ministries—together with church staff—in compelling ways that inspire and encourage participation.
• Support the growth of outreach ministries by assisting new ministry leaders in launching new or expanded programs:
• Reviewing ministry ideas in partnership with clergy and staff.

OCC Roles - Ministry Leaders: (1-2 leaders per outreach ministry)

Select at least one outreach ministry and agree to lead its planning and execution based on the project management outline that has been provided. This will include:

• Leading a project planning meeting with church staff and OCC facilitators to kick off the effort.
• In conjunction with facilitators and church staff, recruit volunteers, delegate tasks and ensure that they are completed according to the timing requirements of the ministry.
• At the completion of the project, provide feedback and a record of results to be used for telling our story and planning for future efforts.

God-Sized Dreams Visioning Team (6–8+ members)

This team explores and champions outreach initiatives with the potential to create transformational change in our community—bold efforts we call “God-sized Dreams.”

Primary Responsibilities:

• Identify and develop visionary projects with significant community impact and lasting value.
• Recruit a diverse team with a blend of skills, experience, and passion, including:
  • Community Connectors & Network Builders – those who know people, organizations, and resources, and who can build trusted relationships.
  • Culturally and socially aware individuals – those with deep understanding of racial, economic, and historical dynamics within our community.
  • Fundraising and development leaders – those who can build partnerships with foundations, corporations, and individual donors.
  • Inspirational leaders – people who spark creativity, foster collaboration, and unite others around a shared mission.
  • Financial experts – those with budgeting and planning skills to ensure long-term sustainability.
  • Effective communicators – individuals skilled in public speaking and stakeholder engagement.
• Develop a long-term strategic vision for expanding and sustaining outreach ministries, particularly large-scale or high-impact initiatives.
• Design clear processes for project proposal submission, review, funding, implementation, measurement, and ongoing support.

 7/29/25 UPDATE ON THE WORSHIP EXPERIENCES COMMITTEE

The Worship Experiences Committee is actively exploring how we can make worship at St. Peter's more welcoming, meaningful, and spiritually engaging for all. From deepening our hospitality to expanding our reach into the community, we're working to help more people find a spiritual home here -- and to enrich the experience of those already in the parish.

Our overarching goal is to embrace the concept of Radical Hospitality. At our first meeting July 3, we prioritized worship goals and objectives of the Strategic Plan into three levels, level one being the most immediate to act upon. Here are some of the exciting ideas already in motion:

Growing Our Community

• In partnership with the SPEC Connects Committee, 1) Encourage the wearing of name tags at parish services and functions, 2) Explore updates to our website to include helpful links for newcomers (worship style, what to wear, what to expect in worship) and contacts for questions.
• By September 2025, establishing a more formal Greeter Program for before and after each service including prescribed follow-through actions to include:
  • Follow-up communications after a newcomer visit via notes, calls or emails
  • Improved Newcomer Packet
  • Tracking progress of each newcomer through Realm
• Developing tools to help all current SPEC members participate in welcoming others including a New Parishioner Buddy Program whereby a current member is asked to connect with a new potential member, becoming an initial "go to" source for questions on how to become more engaged in the SPEC community.
• Quarterly "New Joiner" Gatherings hosted with clergy and a few current SPEC members for informal connection.

Campus maps and signage within the buildings have been identified as issues needing to be addressed to assist this effort. This effort has been delegated to the Welcoming Spaces Implementation Committee.

As we move forward, we are committed to creating worship experiences that are meaningful, welcoming and transformative. If you are interested in learning more or getting involved, please reach out -- we'd love to have your voice at the table!

Cyd Alloway --

8/7/25 UPDATE ON SPEC CONNECTS COMMITTEE

What is SPEC Connects?

A parishioner-driven committee working in partnership with clergy and staff to:

• Coordinate fellowship and connection events
• Launch and support ongoing groups and gatherings
• Develop strategies for newcomer welcome and integration
• Oversee tools and systems (like Realm, our website, and the parish directory) that support community-building

SPEC Connect centers around these four core pillars of parish life and here are some potential examples of connection opportunities for each:

1. Belonging & Fellowship – creating shared experiences that spark relationships
   • Monthly Bible & Brew (“Holy Spirits”)
   • Family Dinners
   • Food Truck Sundays
   • Grateful for Grans Day
   • Young Families, Mom’s & Young Adult Groups
2. Spiritual Formation & Discipleship – Opportunities to explore scripture and deepen faith
   • Sermon Discussion Groups
   • Faith Education Offerings
   • Bible Study
   • Book studies
3. Care & Support – providing emotional and relational support in community
   • Monthly Grief Counseling
   • Mentoring for New Members
4. Vocation & Witness – integrating faith into daily life and the wider world
   • Rotary-Style Networking Lunches
   • Educational Events (Wine Class, Nonprofit Spotlights, etc.)

Currently, the implementation committee is primarily focused on:

• Connection Opportunities – reviewing the existing opportunities for connection and determining where they might be supplemented to ensure appropriate connection opportunities for parishioners.
• Website Review – ensuring connection opportunities are visible and accessible
• Newcomer Strategy – designing a plan to welcome, connect, and support visitors
• Event Calendar Coordination – improving how events are scheduled and shared
• Realm & Directory Use – exploring how to better utilize our existing tools

We are mapping out multiple entry points into the life of the church, including but not limited to:

• Newcomer Cocktails & Buddy Program
• Ongoing Small Groups by age and interest
• Annual Community Events
• Education & Formation Offerings

We want to offer enough variety to meet diverse interests, while ensuring each group is strong, welcoming and sustainable.

What’s Next?

August 2025

• Develop a framework for new organizational strategy and governance
• Committee finalizes event structures and newcomer plan

Fall 2025 Launch

• New and revitalized gatherings begin
• Website and Realm updates underway
• More opportunities created for the parish to connect, grow and serve

Early 2026

• Evaluation and reassessment to ensure all efforts align with our mission

Want to get involved?

If you’re interested in helping shape or support SPEC Connects – whether through hosting a dinner, leading a group, or offering your ideas – we’d love to hear from you. Email Peter Boumgarden at