Summary of Sabbatical Survey Responses
54 People completed surveys the end of Oct and early Nov. 2007
1. What did you learn/enjoy or find useful in this Sabbatical experience?
Liked Having Variety /Hearing Different Points of Views = 18 responses along this theme
Sample Comments:
§ Always good to hear clergy with other styles and points of view;
§ Good to have Sunday sermons given by different people
§ Variety of services and sermon styles, esp. more of the “plain talk, clear message”
UUCR Took Care of itself well = 4 responses on this theme
Sample Comments:
§ UUCR took good care of itself. Board and Committees took full ownership and provided seamless experience for us.
§ That we have a lot of talented skilled and dedicated UUCR members who are willing to step in and do what needs to be done.
General Favorable comments about both ministers = 4 responses
§ That it can work well with a good substitute minister and Worship Committee
§ I enjoyed the stimulating sermon topics
§ Like a breath of fresh air on a Sunday morning
§ I really appreciate how Bonny and Jack bring a topic to light, take us on a journey and then bring us back to the topic
Bonny was good/ I enjoyed Bonny = 5 responses specifically about Bonny
Sample Comments:
§ I liked the way Dr. Dillon was able to make a very strong point in a very short amount of time, only 15 mins. or so.
§ I enjoyed Bonny’s willingness to pitch in and her support of every activity. Also her sensitivity and perspective, as well as her quiet cheerfulness.
Jack was good/enjoyed Jack = 4 responses specifically about Jack
Sample Comments:
§ Rev Jack Good is always a welcome speaker. Like having sermons that are personalized- as with Jack’s fear of heights- and appeal to feelings not just minds.
§ The sermons (lectures) of Rev. Good. Invite Rev. Good to speak for a year!
Opportunity for Talk Back = 4 responses
Sample Comments:
§ I loved having congregational discussion, or talk aback again! We have such a well-informed congregation.
§ Congregational response greatly appreciated. We are fed from the community as well
Others:
§ Very good, well organized, put together sabbatical
§ The tranquility of the church atmosphere during the sabbatical
§ How important the Men’s group is
§ I learned that Audette does impact our volunteer participation with her sermon topics
2. Was it a good experience to have a minister during this Sabbatical?
Yes = 25
No = 0
Maybe = 3
Yes, though not worth the money = 4
Sample Comments
§ Maybe, It might have been a good learning experience for the congregation to not rely on a minister, however.
§ It worked out very well though I felt it was unnecessary and the money could be better used in other ways
§ Yes, and the sharing of the duties on Sunday was a good idea. We had so many pastoral needs.
§ Yes – helped give stability
§ Yes!!!! Bonny did a remarkable job, especially considering she was only part-time. Comforting to know she was available for pastoral care.
§ Yes, some people or visitors find it a real negative if we do not have a minister on duty.
§ Yes. Since it was a lengthy sabbatical – new ideas.
§ It was a good idea, especially since we had 2 very good ones. However, when considering the budget and its needs, I believe we could have done fine if we did not hire extras.
§ Yes! Although I never got to hear Jack speak, Bonny was a delight. She is a very good speaker, and she provided emotionally generous pastoral care.
§ Overall, I think it probably was. I heard attendance was good this summer. For a typical low attendance summer, I have doubts about whether it would be worth the money. I’m confident that I would have been happy with services provided by members and guests. I wonder how many members really benefited from out interim’s counseling experience.
§ YES!! Bonny was a breath of fresh air after the stale sermons we had been getting. Discussion of the sermon by the congregation was encouraged and refreshing for a change. Nice to have engaging sermons for a change.
§ Yes, because it gave our church more credibility to visitors and people searching. I thought it was helpful for us to experience a minister who truly wanted to be with us, in amongst us during social times, and who made an effort to spend time socializing with us.
§ Yes, both because we needed someone to go to for pastoral care and it gave us credibility with visitors.
§ At first, I thought we did not need anyone. Boy was I wrong. I didn’t know there was a chaplain like Bonny available. This has been a most excellent experience not only for me but for the church.
§ From the feedback I hear, yes. I personally did not use or need the services of a minister
§ Bonny’s sermons didn’t do much for me, but I was glad she helped cover the pulpit and I heard from others that they found her sermons interesting.
3. Was the structure of what we offered useful (e.g., Interim minister and guest preacher)?
Yes = 24
No = 1
Maybe = 0
Other = 4
Sample Comments:
§ I enjoyed Dr. Dillon’s’ and Rev. Good’s talks. However, I would have liked to have heard more from members of the congregation
§ So, So. I could have skipped the frequency of guest speakers
§ A single minister/counselor may have been better but this worked very well.
§ My personal needs were met, but I’m not sure that those who had a greater need felt they were adequately met and served
§ Very. Had the opportunity for consistency for a short period of time (a good thing) to hear 2 very good speakers and yet only have one dedicated responsible minister.
§ This format was very good – I thoroughly enjoyed having different types of sermons.
§ I enjoyed the variety. If I happened to not like a speaker or a topic – it was a “one time thing”. I can’t remember not liking anything (one) though.
§ Yes – I would even say it might have been better to use them more – fewer spots needing to be filled by Worship Committee.
§ It was fine and my only complaint was the initial confusion that we were “having 2 interims.”
§ It was useful having an interim minister as well as a guest preacher. I felt a positive energy in the sanctuary that has been missing for a long time.
§ I think they are both good sermonizers.
§ YES! Both Bonny and Jack set a high standard.
§ I think part of Question 2’s answer would also fit as part of this answer. The active participation behind the scene as well as during the service by both the adults and children was very comfortable. I know that the kids made their own selections rather than being micro managed and instructed on what to say and how to say it. When given a topic, I think most UU’s, both young and old, are capable of choosing appropriate content.
§ I suppose it was, but I felt we offered Rev. Good 2nd best, and I felt that we didn’t honor him, especially with the banner the children made for Bonny and not for Jack, as much as we honored and valued Bonny.
§ Perfect!
4. How were your needs met or not during the Sabbatical time?
Good = 33
No special needs to meet = 7
Not met = 0
§ 2 comments about liking talk back/congregational response
§ I thought we needed a kitchen committee after memorials
§ When we needed counseling, we got it. When we needed sermons, we got them.
§ I was disappointed in the "off" Sundays (no minister).
§ Would have enjoyed more outside speakers.
Several Specific responses about Bonny and Jack being good/meting their needs
8 responses specifically about how Bonny helped them
1 response about Jack challenging them look at their life
§ Minister contacted me when I had a health problem
§ I personally had a difficult, transitory time -- all of the church's resources were available to me, many of them personal offers of assistance. WOW! The most important need I have had was the spiritual/emotional ones. I am full of gratitude for the help, assistance and encouragement I received during this time.
§ Bonny did an amazing job with phone calls, genuine pastoral care during a very difficult part of my life. She was super at engaging the children! She came to know people quickly as well.
§ I suffered an injury during the sabbatical period and Bonny was very kind about checking in with me and lending me books during my recovery.
5. Other Comments
Have Bonny and Jack return = 3
Thanks for Sabbatical Committee = 3
Others:
§ Hope we use these 2 ministers often – they were both excellent!
§ It was wonderful to have traditions, such as talk back, returned to the service.
§ I also enjoyed Jack Good’s sermons. Other offered by the Worship Committee also contributed to a “growing” situation offered to attendees.
§ Missed Audette’s thoughtful sermons – will be good to have her back.
§ In other places I’ve seen the absence of a minister turn into an opportunity for congregational members to learn more about their own potential. People who were sort of in the background came to the forefront. I’m not sure I saw that opportunity given here.
§ Share with Audette those responses that illustrate what we liked in Jack and Bonny’s sermons. With respect to her sermons, I would like for Audette to learn how to appeal from her heart to our hearts, and not just our intellects. They should be sermons, not merely speeches.
§ The Rev. Dillon was a superb choice! Can we keep her?
§ Let’s have both Bonny and Jack return regularly to the pulpit at least annually.
§ This was a very well balanced and well-planned sabbatical. Thank you to everyone involved!
§ Would like to see more opportunity for congregational response like we had during the sabbatical.
§ The Worship Committee and Sabbatical Committee did a great job. Thank you!
§ The sabbatical is good for both minister and congregation. It helps us remember that the members “are the church”.
§ Really enjoyed coming to Sunday service! Thank you Sabbatical Committee!
§ Please eliminate the congregational response.
§ I don’t think the congregational response is a good idea. I would prefer to see it “retired”.
§ Please do not repeat announcements from the pulpit that are in the order of service. It would suffice to announce that they are in the order of service Continue as before.
§ A 5-month theme and Jack Good.
§ Good’s last sermon was the best I every heard in this church.
§ I loved seeing Bonny include our RE children and YOUTH. She called them and invited them to participate in the service. She actually told the YRUUs the theme of her talk and had them find the reading. Total trust in them. She supported the fund raising at UII when we had to sell our furniture, etc. with a check. I have been lucky to hear a couple of Bonny’s sermons and they were wonderful. I like the fact she didn’t read from other people’s books and sermons. Bonny’s children’s times were excellent. They were to the point, caught the children’s interest, and she went beyond the call of duty to give the children little tokens that tied to the talk. Another thing Bonny did which seemed to amaze people was she was a presence after church, during memorials, at social functions. She wanted to be a part of the congregation and jumped into any activity going on.
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