1) The leading decision making body within the congregation, our church Council, called for a yearlong social action project.
2) Sermons, church newsletters, and other mailings introduced the congregation to the concept of social action and how social action, as opposed to social service, addresses the root causes of societal problems.
3) Moses served as the congregation’s model and inspiration for discerning its call to action.
4) After an initial period of discernment guided by worship services and house gatherings, the congregation voted during worship to determine a cause and a partner organization that would guide them to action.
5) In submitting their ballot to vote, members of the congregation also volunteered to participate in one or more of the following: a book group, a drama team, an art team, a movie night, or a video team.
6) The involvement of “unlikely suspects” was a primary goal of the project. Through volunteer activities, intentional team-based recruiting, and one-on-one interactions, church members who would not normally participate in social activism were invited and encouraged to do so.
7) As many members as possible participated in a culminating social action with the partner organization.
8) A celebration worship service and potluck took place on the Sunday following the action.
9) A reflection event after the action and celebration enabled the congregation to reflect back upon the year and commit to taking social action again in the future.
10) Interspersed throughout the project were “fun” elements like skits and parties.