Lay: Name what you hold of most value about our Church that could help lead us forward.

L1

A welcoming sense of community and my first sense of welcoming being at home

L2

Location, here and around the world.

L3

Love the connection to historic creeds, liturgy, etc. and the great past of Christendom. That is where we should focus to locate the modern church.

L4

The ritual, liturgy, fortifies the experience. Helping others brings feeling of fulfilling of church.

L5

Our focus on worship.

L6

The ability to learn and make changes as the Episcopal Church is not narrow minded with regard to the doctrine.

L7

Diversity of peoples and thought with a bonding of common values.

L8

The idea that if we agree on the creed we can worship together. That is what really matters.

L9

The openness of most priests to help people understand who they are and embrace the change

L10

The oneness of body mind and spirit

L11

Our acceptance of persons of all sexual orientation, color, ethnic backgrounds as equals. Our devotion to tradition and scripture and reason. The freedom to use our mind to find our spiritual growth and not to be bound to dogma and rigid authority.

L12

Openness and inclusiveness — a table that welcomes all. A true sense of the via media.

L13

With children, music. It is really important to engage our children on lots of different levels — teach them how to pray and participate ourselves — not just leaving them and going off. I care about what happens to my neighbor. I am a lay Eucharistic minister and I love it and feel it is important to share that with my children.

L14

The sense of inclusive dialogue — that we welcome and embrace people, we do not start with boundary list of required beliefs — just Christ and inclusion — need to get that message out.

L15

Great potential for radical inclusiveness.

L16

There is a lot of love. Church takes chances and steps forward. Works toward giving justice to all. Very proud of female priests. When niece was acolyte, was surprised. Glad we are moving forward.

L17

Faith — and beyond that, reason

L18

The liturgy because it encompasses everything. You can play with it. Weekly communion and Eucharist. Nurture sense of community — outreach. We do a pretty good job of outreach I our church — at place to work together — promotes tolerance.

L19

Inclusiveness — tolerance — Episcopal church welcomes you

L20

1. A community of good, caring, talented and gifted people who need to be inspired, encouraged to assume leadership roles. 2. It's a place that challenges one to grow and not to be rigid about theology. It allows for a freedom of opinion. Everyone's spiritual path is valued.

L21

1. Church extends itself beyond the four walls to serve the community 2. provides an opportunity to experience extended family

L22

What I like about the Episcopal Church is it is willingness to change with the times. Family oriented and active acceptance with love of newcomers

L23

I enjoy and feel that the traditions of the Roman Catholic church, which remain part of the Episcopal Church today, can still be our foundation for the future.

L24

Baptismal Covenant — it contains everything we need: a road map for us as individual.

L25

Liturgy that is powerful, part of what he sees that brought people to Episcopal Church. Rich tradition of liturgy and music gets them in — and then we can do the rest.

L26

Inclusiveness, diversity

L27

We are willing to look at diversity — accept difference — not rigid — accept all regardless both conservative, liberal

L28

Acceptance of differences. Episcopal Church is very accepting and welcoming — allowance of ideas

L29

Episcopal Church's acceptance of differences. Allow differing viewpoints

L30

diversity and acceptance of differences. Not rigid — openness / liberal

L31

Inclusiveness and diversity

L32

outreach (social / community) — friendliness — activities for everyone

L33

Outreach — ability to address issues of diversity — Eucharistic centered approach

L34

diversity — acceptance of diversity. Trying to look forward — we live in the 21st century, not the first.

L35

Love and respect of church family

L36

Respecting of each value of an individual make an effort to help you learn to grow and the acceptance our church has on each individual

L37

Faith, constant communication

L38

The Episcopal Church is trying to honor the value of every human being.

L39

Community service

L40

openness and inclusiveness — a table that welcomes all. A true sense of the via media.

L41

Everyone is welcome; laity is involved in ministry. As a former trans. Substantiation addict now loves the presence of Christ

L42

Inclusion and understanding that it takes times to get to know one other. Like Jesus; he accepted everyone. We are like that as Episcopalians.

L43

It is Catholic tradition, balancing tradition, reason, and scripture, centering on sacramental spiritually will be of most value moving forward. Implicit will be maintaining our constituent status in the Anglican communion

L44

Worship, needs more 7 days x 24 hours

L45

L46

Can be yourself, can interpret things differently from next person but still be part of whole service

L47

friendliness, loving kindness, giving

L48

Calmness about the service, quiet intellectual an stimulates to think, service ceremony aesthetically pleasing, richness of service 1 1/2 hour service count on it. Discipline but not rigid, accepting sees god in all people, sees within self to find out to improve selves.

L49

Teaching is an important element — maturity be get need to learn — increased attention to convocational meetings

L50

Question the interrelationships within the Diocese What are others doing and how can they help each other. Neighboring churches do not talk. No real opportunity to get together.

L51

We are all excepting of everyone and I love the fact that my children grew up with this philosophy

L52

Progressiveness of church — involving women — women bishops, gay bishop.

L53

That you can talk about how God is a part of your life.

L54

. . . .

L55

Sunday school, part of youth group

L56

Getting along — working together — volunteering where needed

L57

Openness, weekly communion, bible study

L58

Our inclusiveness

L59

That we are able to elect a female presiding bishop . We are more open

L60

A growing knowledge of Holy scriptures

L61

The outreach programs — they reach out to people in the town. The participation in town/local events. The youth group is involved in many local events

L62

Church is most welcoming to everybody, service welcomed people always invariably come back, this can move the church forward

L63

The practical and relevant nature of sermons. She likes sermons that relate to the here and now.

L64

So open and accepting of everyone that walks in the door. Bible study related to knowledge of the church.

L65

The openness and acceptance. Let hope the future holds love of diversity in every aspect of all the church has to address the scientific …..

L66

Acceptance of open diversity — old/young. Black/white

L67

The ability to question and accept or reject the doctrines of religion

L68

Long tradition — modern services, nice but good we can trace our services texts back to 1500's. Openness and willing to experiment with other forms but still keeping with liturgical structured church represents true teachings of Jesus — as opposed to some of the more fundamental absolutes.

L69

Define Church please! Evangelical church — people's willing to compromise is a strength, thoughtful, steeped in tradition yet forward.

L70

I hold the liturgy of most value — I hope we can hold onto the essence of the liturgy and still be able to attract people

L71

The healing service which meets every Thursday as people come — most people say they really feel uplifted

L72

Faithful Christian tradition without letting it constrain Christ's gospel mission. Fidelity to faith, orthodoxy is important, but we have to serve our fellow human beings — the church allows us to love God and love each other. Service to others must flow from our love with God

L73

Ambiguity. I was raised Roman Catholic; the Episcopal Church has a faith that is very tolerant of differences. The Episcopal Church allows each of us to live out our faith. It is a catalyst for our faith and holding us all together. It gives us an opportunity to dialogue with others who do not see the world as we do. it helps us to grow and can help lead us forward

L74

I most value the liturgy, weekly communion, and traditions that all Episcopalians share. I would really hate to lose these because the traditions and history bind us together.

L75

Value my church family. There is something special about my church, St. Marks, and Father Lyons.

L76

Church to be more tolerant of various cultures within the church

L77

Our willingness to see others as they are and to accept them. And not to project our feelings on others in hopes of changing them.

L78

Our thinking regarding women and homosexuals that all people are welcome

L79

Common bond and sense of purpose; the ability to work together in very important

L80

Unity of purpose. Have a common God — give talents to that, will lead us farther.

L81

Willingness of congregants to pick a job and follow through

L82

forward thinking, friendliness, progressiveness

L83

The sense of order and structure. It makes me think; challenges my intellect. The structure of the liturgy: the continual prayers.

L84

The liturgy. It offers an opportunity to hear God, praise him and recognize what he has done for us. It makes me comfortable at any Anglican church anywhere in the world.

L85

sense of welcome extends to people where ever they are. The people

L86

Willingness to make what is sacred to us available to others. The integrity of the church to stand up for what is right. To willingness to listen to others

L87

diversity — acceptance of all people. We respect diversity — compassion — non—judgmental

L88

The acceptance of diversity. His church has been Caucasian and older. All are welcome — is a hymn he values most. He feels diversity is growing and could very easily become divers.

L89

inclusiveness — by reaching out to gays lesbians, women. We accept people where other … include them in our parish life.

L90

More acceptance of youth do not see a lot at church — if had more programs and services — mostly older Caucasians. Would like to see more young girls and younger people in general. Have youth services.

L91

the youth

L92

the young people

L93

the liturgy that is the heart of who we are.

L94

Believe what we say on Sundays. Have a vision from God that only God could fulfill

L95

The church has a capacity for hearing many voices, many possibilities. Episcopal Church has structures to provide people with possibilities so they are not as bewildered. These are forward looking elements since the culture is so complex. There needs to move intense use of practices.

L96

The inclusion attitude, freedom of expression and acceptance by others in the church. A high level of comfort. More flexibility to live a Christian life without being critically judged.

L97

Value freedom and flexibility of being himself. Open leadership of the church — can feel free to approach re: church issues — personal life — seen this work for the population as a whole

L98

The presence of people to be others — the kind you can call if you need something; the sense that there's a good support group deeps everyone together and keeps everyone moving forward.

L99

Inclusion of reason and scripture; willingness to adapt tradition and speak to a contemporary world; history and mission.

L100

Acceptance

L101

Acceptance

L102

. . . .

L103

The people are the most valuable and need to be listened to. The differences in humanity — the common ground they hold

L104

Fellowship of parish community

L105

By Christ we have central love to Jesus. We can appeal to urban, suburban.

L106

The Episcopal church welcomes you. We are the church that you can go to when everyone else says no.

L107

Diversity of people and good faith fellowship with people.

L108

Openness. Affirming and welcoming — interaction with everyone. We pay attention to the present day but hold onto our identity.

L109

Welcoming parishioners.

L110

Outreach program

L111

The Episcopal Church is very welcome, my dad's side is Roman Catholic and it is not as welcoming. Welcoming and open to all people.

L112

The inclusiveness of the community.

L113

Willingness and ability of church o help others who are not as fortunate

L114

Eucharistic center, thinks celebration is awesome, it is so important and should be a joyful experience because of what it means. It is central element of being Episcopalian And it is vital to keep it going and give the body and blood of Christ to others.

L115

We accept everybody — no matter where a person has been we welcome them with open arms.

L116

Children. Confirmation classes, these will bring a lot of change because we can energize the youngsters. Gives them feeling of responsibility, challenge confirmation best thing we have going.

L117

The organized way and consistency of our worship. Allows me to experience God's presence without being distracted.

L118

L119

L120

L121

L122

L123

L124

L125

L126

L127

L128

L129

L130

L131

L132

L133

L134

L135

L136

L137

L138

L139

L140

L141

L142

L143

L144

L145

L146