Appreciative Inquiry One way to evaluate where we are and plan for the future is a process called Appreciative Inquiry. It is a series of questions that help us focus on what works and how to build on that. As we focus on what is working, what is not working falls away due to lack of attention. The law of attraction is always at work. Please take a few minutes to answer these questions, so the Board can assess where we can best serve and plan activities accordingly. Describe a time when you experienced this spiritual community at its best. Describe how you felt and what has happening at the time? What is the most important thing that being in this spiritual community has contributed to your life? Without being humble, describe what you contribute to this spiritual community. Describe your three concrete wishes for this spiritual community. (These questions were formulated by Dr. Rev. Linda McNamar.) DESCRIBE A TIME WHEN YOU EXPERIENCED THIS SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY AT IT'S BEST. DESCRIBE HOW YOU FELT AND WHAT WAS HAPPENING AT THE TIME. Reverend Merilyn's response... It is apparent that we are fulfilling our purpose by the many success stories I hear. There have been old wounds healed, deep forgiveness established and many new awareness's and "ahas" happening. I think this Spiritual Community just keeps getting better and better. Some specifics are: Our trip to see the Lion King at Gammage Theater Easter Sundays with our Easter Parade and the effort everyone put as they make their hats Our 30th Anniversary Celebration with "Ernest Holmes" aka Brad Wethren The Field trip to the petroglyphs by Gila Bend Our classes where we bond, learn, laugh and cry together Second Sunday Cinema and Potlucks The Ministry of Prayer and the Prayer of Beholding Mimosas and Metaphysics Movie Series Asilomar The concerts by Anton Mizrak, Lorna Bright, Stephen Pike, Will Tuttle, just to name a few We certainly can't overlook the gift of Beth and her quadruplets. Our Youth Church has blossomed since they started coming WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT BEING IN THIS SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY HAS CONTRIBUTED TO YOUR LIFE? Reverend Merilyn's response... I am grateful for those who wanted a Religious Science Church so much that they were willing to meet in a mortuary and then through their tenacity they were able to buy this building and pay it off free and clear….That's dedication!!! The important thing about this community is the feelings of a committed family. I love watching our dedicated volunteers make this church happen and that they do it with such a sense of joy and camaraderie always warms my heart. I continue to learn from all of you and my faith is strengthened as I watch folks lives change for the better through miracles, or as we know them to be, normalizations or realignments. Our class work and visits with each other always inspire me. WITHOUT BEING HUMBLE, DESCRIBE WHAT YOU CONTRIBUTE TO THIS SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY. Reverend Merilyn's response... Without being humble, what I contribute to this community is a feeling of fun and fellowship. I love it when we are all together doing something - anything. And… the fact that I think this stuff works to make our lives better, builds confidence in others and makes them at least willing to give it a try. DESCRIBE YOUR THREE CONCRETE WISHES FOR THIS SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY. Reverend Merilyn's response... My three concrete wishes are: An Assistant Minister/Education Director A new building And, most importantly, that everyone who is looking for a place to deepen spiritually through this teaching is able to find us.