Dear Hood River Alliance Church Family:

What will a new normal for our congregation look like? How will we “do church” in the Post-Covid era? Will people re-engage? Who’s in and who’s out? These are questions we all grapple with. The good news is that Jesus Christ hasn’t changed. He’s still head of the church and in control in the midst of all the unknowns.

Of the three stages of transition--Recovery, Refocus and Replace -- we are in the Recovery phase. The elders of HRAC are continuing to reach out to people in our congregation who are hurting, seeking reconciliation and healing. Yet we believe God is calling us to press on toward Refocus. As we enter the fall, here are some ways we want to encourage you to join us in re-engaging:

Pray for the health and future of our congregation along with its leaders;
Elders: Jim Pennington, Joe Rinella, Doug Roviank, Bob Spotts, Marty Miller, Tim Saur
Board: All elders plus Kelly Benjamin, Ilea Bouse, Eric Bokovoy, Kaylene Baker and Anders Sorestad
Worship with us whether in person or via live stream (we will be following CDC and state guidelines/mandates);
Volunteer with our children’s ministry which will kick-off on Sunday, September 26th;
Consider leading, hosting, or participating in a small group. Contact Laura at office@hralliance.org or 541-386-2812.
Give to the Lord financially.

ASSESSMENT

The Governing Board has voted to partner with an organization called Vital Church in conducting an assessment of our church. Its focus is on coming alongside churches in transition and helping provide a mirror and a map--identifying current reality and future direction. We want to determine three things going forward...What do we want to PRESERVE? What do we want to AVOID? and What do we want to ACHIEVE? Vital Church is strongly recommended by the C&MA district office and works closely with it.

This assessment will include the following components:

The gathering and analyzing of statistical data of our church over the past 10 years;
An on-line survey completed by everyone who calls Hood River Alliance their church home;
A profile of the Hood River community;
Interviewing via phone or zoom 75 people who represent a cross section of HRAC;
An onsite oral report given to the leadership and congregation including a question and answer session;
A written report which will include recommendations of key issues to be addressed and tasks to be completed during the interim in preparation for a new future under the leadership of a new Lead Pastor.

NEW INTERIM PASTOR

The board has also voted to hire a second interim pastor supplied by Vital Church. Pastor Steve Conway will complete his ministry of “bridging the gap” on October 31 and the new interim will begin November 1st. This pastor comes with training and experience for this specialized ministry and will work hand-in-glove with our local leadership, Vital Church and the C&MA district. He will guide our church in implementing the recommendations which flow out of the assessment.

IMPROVED HR POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The board has appointed a task force to review and upgrade our church’s HR policies and procedures. This group includes people in our congregation whose marketplace job includes Human Resources. The goal is to establish healthy guardrails to help enable us to avoid past missteps, especially in the area of the hiring, terminating and supervising church staff.

LINKING ARMS

I once saw this sign posted on a wall: Together we are greater than the sum of our parts. During this season of transition, we need each other more than ever. We don’t have the luxury of anyone standing on the sidelines. Everyone has something to contribute. Let’s link arms, stay connected and face outward together toward a needy world.

~ HRAC Leadership