|
In January, the Parish Success Ministry conducted a survey to determine how parishioners preferred receiving communications from St. Thomas and to preliminarily assess how St. Thomas is viewed by parishioners. We also reached out to some people new to St. Thomas as well as friends and neighbors of our community to hear better what draws people to our church and understand the impact St. Thomas has in the larger community.
Below is some of what we have learned. Over the next several weeks we will be collecting and sharing more information with all of you through the newsletters and bulletins. The survey suggested that most of you prefer receiving information through email and the newsletter so we will honor that way of communicating. We hope you are as touched by these stories as we were. If you have a story you would like to share please contact Georgina Lucas.
What the Communications Survey Told Us:
- 94% of those who attend St. Thomas regularly, in person and on Zoom, found that St. Thomas provides an inclusive, welcoming space for worship.
- Almost 80% thought that, through outreach, St. Thomas was making a difference in the community.
- Almost 75% felt that St. Thomas was creating opportunities for the Holy to enter their lives.
What Draws People to St. Thomas?
"I was looking for a progressive Episcopal church. When I drove by St. Thomas, I saw all of the signs indicating they were an inclusive church. I also saw the sign for an upcoming Spaghetti Dinner. I went and was immediately embraced, and St. Thomas became my church home. It's like a family. St. Thomas is so inclusive. You can hear, in Terri's sermons, her passion for social justice and inclusion. With more events and outreach, our community will grow even larger." ~ Mary S.
“I wanted a place where the children, and I, could physically feel God's love. Like many Episcopalians, I value aesthetics in worship, and have long thought St. Thomas' was a uniquely beautiful building. Everything and everyone around me was honest, joyful, true, and kind. Reverend Terri's words were relevant and powerful. I could see and feel that the congregants' hearts were open to God, and that their eyes were open to the world around them. To put it another way, the children and I could physically feel God's love. ~ Kristen G.
“I so enjoyed worshipping at St. Thomas on Sunday! I loved the children's corner, the congregation singing the children off to Godly Play, the usher in jeans and football jersey, the real sense of community. It was great to spend time sipping coffee and solving the world's problems with Anne and Miriam and Angela and Kathy after church. Thank you so much for being personally welcoming. I just wanted to send you personal thanks. Blessings.” ~ A Recently Retired Priest
What Does St. Thomas provide the Community?
Saint Thomas to be an integral part of the community, welcoming and of course, a beautiful historic landmark! Keep up the good work! ~ Kate B., Neighbor
St. Thomas provides a resource that isn't found in the area in the great hall and offers fair pricing which makes it attainable to use the space for a nonprofit. ~ Meg A., Odyssey School
Saint Thomas provided me with an affordable office in a chic neighborhood. I love the culture at Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas benefits the larger community by being a safe place for all Christians to attend services. Saint Thomas aids refugees and collects clothes and groceries for the needy. We also receive updates about the community meetings discussing the fate of the Park Hill Golf Course.~ Lucie U., Aquamarine Reiki
St. Thomas provides us with charity to families that cannot afford cemetery spaces here at Chapel Hill. We have families who no longer need their plots donate their cemetery spaces to St. Thomas and St. Thomas in turn has them deeded to needy families for whatever they can afford. ~ Brian B., Olinger Chapel Hill
STEPPING OUT IN FAITH!
| 
