mission strategy
In January 2020, a diocesan task force came together to develop a mission strategy to guide the work of the diocese. The task force spent its time listening to the people in each of our churches to learn about their churches’ and communities’ strengths, needs and dreams.
The mission strategy will never be set in stone. Designed intentionally as organic and dynamic, it was built on work that has been happening in the diocese for years and provides guidance for our work in the years to come.
So what is the mission strategy?
It is a plan centered on the five mission priority areas of the Diocese of North Carolina: Racial Reckoning, Justice and Healing; Congregational Vitality; Collaboration and New Communities; Discipleship (previously called Formation); and Creation Care.
Each priority includes a series of commitments by the diocese and the churches to accomplish the big picture work of the priority. More importantly, though, each priority also includes a purpose statement that allows for the creativity to help us accomplish, together, our ultimate goal of Becoming Beloved Community.
CONTACT
Joy Shillingsburg
Joy Shillingsburg
Mission Strategy Coordinator
919-521-5927
EMAIL
Joy Shillingsburg is a lifelong educator who served as the director of youth and outreach at St. John’s, Wake Forest, for more than a decade before joining diocesan staff. Prior to serving at St. John’s, Joy spent 15 years as a classroom history teacher outside of Philadelphia and in the Wake County Public School System. Her commitment to teaching historical truths and how these truths have the power to liberate and transform our lives and society has been a through line of her work. At St. John’s, Joy led vibrant intergenerational programs that linked formation rooted in Becoming Beloved Community to vibrant outreach ministries. As an extension of her work as director of youth and outreach, Joy founded Wake Forest Community Table. This thriving nonprofit served more than 25,000 meals from 2020 through 2022 while connecting diverse members of the community to each other through quarterly gatherings that explore the history, laws, personal stories, and systems that necessitate the twice-weekly meal distribution.
Joy lives her faith by serving her neighbors and is deeply committed to leading diverse stakeholders to do the work of Becoming Beloved Community. Joy earned her M.S. in History Education at Villanova University. She lives with her family in Wake Forest. Joy loves biking, hiking, traveling, and podcasts almost as much as reading!
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