MATE is in Transition
This website, like the Mission, is under reconstruction and becoming re-energized. Our churches have a life cycle not so very different from the human life cycle of birth, maturation, aging and death. 
Birth, Vision, "Incline" - We, like our churches, are conceived in love and are a vision of the future. There is energy and a focus on "identity", who we are to become within the family, what place does our church take in the community. We are optimistic, growing, and there is a passion for all that is possible.
Becoming an adult, Purpose, "Recline" - Through hard work, growth, becoming a family or finding a niche in our communities, our congregations settle into building programs, mission and focus more inward on who we are as a congregation. We fall into our comfort zone where worship and programs seem to have a life of their own and we enjoy our life and service as His church.
Aging, Structure, "Decline" - We, as humans, grow older every day. We cannot do things as easily as we once did. Age brings wisdom but also a realization that we look more often to the past for answers, for how we've done things before instead of thinking outside the box and what might work better. Our churches and congregations experience things similar to this. MATE is 58 years old this year as are most of the MATE churches. Some of our members have moved away, some changed church affiliations or died. The current economy makes us aware of rising costs of keeping our church doors open. Overhead expenses take a bigger chunk of our budgets than they seemed to before. 
For both humans, our churches and our congregations, this life cycle is natural, to be expected and not to be feared. Christ's resurrection is our symbol of hope for our future.

TRANSITION?, RESTRUCTURE?, MISSION?
Left without new vision, new program, new mission, new direction or new energy and focus, the church and our congregations could follow the human life cycle. Unless...........

"New Beginnings" - PNNE Resource opportunity
Presbytery of Northern New England [PNNE] is making a program called New Beginnings available to our churches. This program provides an interruption to that cycle and gives us a chance to stop, take a deep breath and look for a new beginning. From 3:00 - 5:00 pm on April 29th,  we have an opportunity to participate in a "Come and See" presentation to learn more. 
Along with keeping you posted on the resource offerings of PNNE, I will attempt to highlight each of the MATE churches here over the next few months. With a focus on their uniqueness of mission and what makes each a church of God and a congregation who worship and serve Him, we can look for answers together as Mission at the Eastward.
With the grace of our Lord
Submitted by,
Judy Hamilton 
MATE Council Secretary
Hartford Community Church Commissioner