2025-26 Outreach and Connection Initiatives.

Short synopses for each outreach plan:

1. Shepherd’s List Reconnect Campaign (Planned start Jan 18, four weeks before Ash Wednesday)
   A seasonal outreach effort that mobilizes a trained team to personally contact lapsed or inactive members through phone calls, visits, or cards—focusing on grace-filled reconnection and pastoral care especially during the winter months.
2. “Try Zion Again” Weekend {Planned for Sept 13, aligning with the start of the School Year)
   A special fall weekend designed to warmly welcome former attendees and new guests with intentional hospitality, a Gospel-centered worship service, children’s activities, and a fellowship meal to encourage return and reconnection as Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas approach.
3. Grace Notes Postcard Campaign (March 18 two weeks before Holy Week, and Nov 15 two weeks before Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas)
   Handwritten seasonal postcards sent by members to inactive households with short, Gospel-centered messages—timed near Easter and Thanksgiving to gently express care, inviting them back to worship.
4. Fall Outreach Connection Events
   Three back-to-back November events: Mingle Jingle (Ladies) & Christian Carnivores (Men) whole family Night. Hunter’s Worship, and Thanksgiving Eve Services. These are intended to create welcoming spaces for fun, reflection, and reconnection during the Advent and Christmas season.
5. “Welcome Home” Home Visits
   A summer outreach effort involving the Board of Elders with home visits to members who have drifted, offering a warm face-to-face reminder of God’s love and a personal invitation to return to worship and community life.
6. Pastor’s “5-a-Week” Call Plan
   A year-round plan where the pastor makes five grace-filled phone calls weekly to check in with absent members, former attendees, or prospects, fostering trust and pastoral presence and care beyond the pulpit.
7. Seasonal Outreach Themes
   A year-long strategy aligning outreach efforts, sermons, and local advertising aligned with the rhythms of the Church Year Lectionary Readings, offering seasonal themes (like “Light in the Darkness” and “Rooted in Christ”). These combined with simple events that connect doctrinally, spiritually and emotionally with the local community.