Reach In. Reach Out. Reach Deep:

Eastport United Methodist Church has identified its Missional Action Project (eMAP) based on your feedback and recommendations to strengthen our foundations and prepare for future growth. Here is a review of the findings from the survey that we asked you to participate in previous months:

There was a great deal of consensus that we are on the right track! And we need to do more of what’s working to connect with our neighbors. The congregation and community agree that our strengths lie in relationships, but want to build upon them. Most of the congregation understands God is calling EUMC into loving and serving a diverse community within the greater Annapolis area, but they remain uncertain and perhaps anxious about how individuals can participate in it.

Therefore, the eMAP is launching three objectives. They are:

• Reach Out: We will connect with our community more frequently and intentionally.

• Reach In: We will connect with one another across generations and neighborhoods.

• Reach Deep: We will connect with God by developing our spiritual practices.

Some immediate actions have already begun meeting these objectives. You may have already experienced a new welcoming invitation to participate and serve. Other ongoing activities will require more planning. Those impacts may take time to become evident. By continuing our current ministries and creating ample new opportunities, EUMC will continue to reach people with love and grace. EUMC cannot do this without you. And we don’t want to try.

The individuals serving on our eMAP Team include Pastor Chris, Alicia O’Brien, Will Cunha, Ruth Gibbons, Garrett Harper, Elaine McKellar, Jill Peddicord, and David Emenheiser. In addition to distributing the survey, they pored over the information to synthesize these objectives. They will be monitoring successful implementation over the next 6 months. Please let us know how you would like to help reach out, reach in, and reach deep.

-David Emenheiser