Please join me in welcoming to Plymouth Dr. Mark Smutny of Civic Reinventions, Inc. (CRI) as we pursue strategic planning for a thriving, diverse and inclusive Plymouth Church. Beginning this month, CRI will provide consulting support to Plymouth Church in the following areas:
- Congregation-Wide Historical Awareness: Facilitating discussions to build an understanding of the church’s history and how it shapes current attitudes, behaviors, and practices.
- Facilitate a Strategic Planning Process culminating in a written strategic plan owned by the congregation and utilized as an effective tool to guide and motivate the congregation in the next few years.
- Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training: Conducting training to help the congregation embrace anti-racism principles and foster a more inclusive and equitable environment.
- Conflict Resolution Services: Providing tools and strategies to resolve conflicts and promote a culture of respect within the congregation.
- Inclusive Meeting Practices: Implementing best practices to ensure that meetings are inclusive, respectful, and productive.
- Mission Focus: Assisting in refining the church’s mission to strengthen its ministries and focus on core values.
- Future of the Physical Plant: Facilitating discussions on the future of the church’s facilities to ensure alignment with its long-term vision and mission.
Over the past several years I've been involved in a variety attempts to address the areas listed above. All these attempts have faced various barriers like limited capacity from volunteers, turnover halting momentum from one year to another, or lay leadership not having the skillset to match our goals and expectations. I believe support from a consultant can help us tie these threads together. And while Dr. Smutny has the skills, capacity, and experience that I think will make a great fit with Plymouth, CRI is simply a facilitator. Our engagement with, openness to, and faithfulness in this work will determine how effective it is. Please join me in engaging with this exciting process.
-Matt Durland, Council Moderator
Personal note from Dr Mark Smutny:
I am truly excited about the opportunity to work with the congregation of Plymouth Church Seattle. It is a privilege to be in partnership with such an important faith community, and I look forward to engaging in meaningful work together. Together we will embark on a journey of reflection and renewal, beginning with conversations about the church’s rich history and how it shapes who you are today. Together, we will develop a strategic plan that reflects the congregation’s shared mission, vision, and values, engage in anti-racism and inclusion training, and strengthen the tools needed to foster respect and resolve conflict. I am particularly eager to help refine your mission, ensuring it aligns with your core values, and guide discussions about the future of your physical space. It is an honor to support Plymouth Church in this transformative process, and I am looking forward to the journey ahead.
(Photo: Dr. Mark Smutny)