July 7 to July 9, 24 people attended our first in-person Mission u since the Covid pandemic. And during each week of July, a total of 34 people attended our Zoom Mission u.
United Women in Faith’s newly elected General Secretary/Chief Executive Officer was in the Twin Cities for a Conference and joined us for part of our Zoom session during the 3rd week of Mission u before heading off for her installation in Texas. Plus, Riva Tabelisma, a Minnesota clergy and author of our study book (Living the Kin-dom: Exploring the Lord’s Prayer as a Spiritual Practice for Social Transformation), joined us for our last Zoom session. Both women significantly contributed to the conversation with their insights and presence.
As novice Deans, we learned a great deal reading online evaluations from participants -- as well as from our first time serving -- about how to improve Mission u going forward.
Lesson 1: Start Planning Early
Planning for Mission u should start a month or so after the previous Mission u ends. We had only a couple of months of planning. Originally there was no Mission u planned because there was no Dean to coordinate one but people began inquiring because they wanted to attend.
After reaching out to National, we acted on the suggestion to involve our Spiritual Growth and Social Action Coordinators in the capacity of Dean. Christie volunteered to take responsibility for an in-person event while Shirley volunteered to be responsible for the Zoom event and for registration. Christie soon received word that Motley UMC was interested in hosting Mission u.
We then sought Study Leaders with an article in the Spring Fresh Connection and settled on Marion Hansen and Elizabeth Everitt for the in person and Becky Boland and Cindy Saufferer for Zoom.
Next, we met with the Mission u Team (Linda Oberg , Linda Kotschevar, Linda Brinster, Cindy Saufferer, Christie Brown, and Catherine Williams). We also invited the Study Leaders and Jomyla Coates and others from Motley to join the Team as we developed plans.
Although our total of 58 participants seems scant, it still exceeded our projected 50. Starting earlier would have provided more time and less stress for organizing and advertising. We believe this will result in higher attendance and better prepare our Study Leaders for next year’s Mission u.
Lesson 2: Have optional venues
People are yearning to return for in-person Mission u, even those who are pleased to have a Zoom options. In-person requires travel, days away from home, and expenses for lodging and meals, which are not always possible for many.
The flexibility for Zoom attendance on two different days at different times was praised, especially the option to choose a different day and time each week.
In the future, we plan to continue offering these options. We’re also looking into the feasibility of having Mission u in a different District each year as well as exploring the possibility of a hybrid option – in person and Zoom participating together.
Lessons from evaluations
Only 17 people completed the online evaluation form – about one-third from in person and two-thirds from Zoom participants. We need to find a way to get a greater number of responses from all venues.
Although 75% or more said they were engaged or inspired by the content and gained new insights from Mission u, they weren’t particular challenged by the level of the content. They found the Study Leaders knowledgeable but they wanted more.
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| In-person photos at Motley by Kim Harris |
The hospitality and meals at Motley UMC rated the highest on the evaluation with 100% finding them "Excellent." However, participants asked that the classes and meals not be in the same place due to difficulty hearing while meals were being prepared and during clean up.
Respondents did find the spiritual practice exercises in the Zoom sessions meaningful but, again, wanted more -- more assignments, that is.
We have already discussed adding a youth study but maybe we should also consider options of two levels of adult study – one at an advanced level and one intermediate. We’re also looking at expanding the Zoom sessions beyond the two hours scheduled for each session, having break out rooms even if the participants are few, and adding brief worship experiences to the Zoom sessions.
Lessons from observations
The Motley Crew – Motley UMC members who helped with planning the in person Mission u, were invaluable. We need to involve the hosts even sooner in the planning stage. Visiting host and lodging sites should also be an earlier priority.
For smoother Zoom experiences, we need to schedule time for technology tutorials for whatever will be relevant to Zoom sessions -- how to use chat, screen share, reaction, breakout rooms, mute/unmute & video, Jamboard, etc.; how to handle potential broadband interruptions. We should also establish one zoom link for all Zoom sessions and have the link ready at least two weeks prior to Zoom Mission u beginning so it can be tested.
Moreover, we need to encourage the use of online evaluation forms, especially for in-person participants. We may need to recruit someone to input paper evaluations into the online form.
The most positive take away: everyone wants more Mission u and appreciate having options we provided.
Mission u 2024
Furthermore, the Lord’s prayer speaks well to the second year of the curricula when we will be exploring the proximity of the kind-dom. This second study will focus on the invitation to posture our lives and transform ourselves in ways that bring us proximity to the kin-dom and the kin-dom in proximity to us.
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