+ How are you doing emotionally?
I miss teaching. Miss the interaction with my students.
I feel like Covid is putting everyone else through, what my head injury and subsequent bullying did to my world. I have already been going through this minus mask wearing for almost 4 years now. Actually like solitude, I don't get hurt that way. But as I am now more prone to depression... it is a catch 22
I am grateful for predisposition toward gratitude and minimal emotional ups and downs
It’s taking more time than I expected to settle into a new living situation
Our life has not changed considerably and I am enjoying the slower pace of life. For the most part our boys are doing well.
I’m doing therapy and such but I feel I’m just really missing community. Sunday’s I feel it at church but the rest of the week I struggle
Some ups and downs, but have access to some really good coaching that helps me in the swings.
I was doing pretty well until October, when I started getting this urge to be spontaneous. I wanted to just get in my car and go - but then there’s the COVID precautions - shouldn’t go , can’t hug, go to restaurants, pop in here or there, etc. Even to go see friends- are they comfortable with me popping in? I feel so restricted! So I just push it all down and try to stay busy and do my best to remember I am not alone in this and I’m thankful and blessed that we have a roof over our heads and we aren’t struggling financially and most importantly I have a loving God that knows all the above and cares deeply for me.
Just a little off. Feeling blah.
I've been through a lot with my health issues the last 5 months; so to be feeling pretty good emotionally, on top of the isolation and loneliness of Covid, feels particularly supernatural. My natural "go to" place is depression and self-pity.
My level of daily thanks giving is proportionate to my emotional stability
Generally healthy routines with emotional/spiritual churning
I am ok. I am still working. So i am staying very busy. We are being very cautious. I am not overly worried, but sometimes when i just feel exhausted or have any symptoms remotely similar to covid i get very anxious. I have constant allergies but i do take meds and have been taking a lot of supplements to boost my immune system. I am one of the compromised if i should catch the virus. I just pray its over soon. I am socially challenged so it doesnt bother me to be alone. But i am not alone like some other people. I am blessed though. God is good!
A little stressed with surgery coming up.
Teaching and being on Zoom/computer is really taking a toll on my overall health (eye fatigue and migraines). Making so many decisions around Covid is emotionally draining.
Time with friends and loved ones are essential for my emotional health.
+ How are you doing socially?
Grateful for my wife and the folks at the hardware store, grocery store and meat market. They’re my social life.
Generally speaking I am a minimalist socially and, with COVID restrictions, this increases and connection decreases.
Too connected?
missing family and larger gatherings
I am a people person and I definitely miss in person interactions
I live in a different town than where the few friends I have made live. I don’t like who I live with. Covid complicates everything. I know I need connection but it’s just few and far between right now
There’s a general sadness I feel about not being able to gather with my family (or friends) without the heavy weight of consideration of social and personal responsibility - especially over the holidays. I’m tired of this all - so is everyone - which is why I believe there is an exceptional amount of anger, blame, vilification, & dualism in our country right now.
Definitely different than this time last year. Trying to balance everyone's comfort levels, consider my own, and stay connected has been challenging. Sometimes taxing on the heart/mind. Long for it to be easier to be socially connected...and largely in close physical proximity.
Mostly I don’t like feeling restricted if I “wanted” to be more social- - - I’m not all that social/ connected to very many people, but I don’t like having those choices /options made more difficult/ limited by COVID
I miss all of my kids activities and the way it helped me have things outside the house to get to do that were fun but structured.
The small group of women from the Journey that I meet with bi-monthly has been such an important part of keeping me connected. Not sure where I would be if not for them.
Allowing the desperation in this current season to be a segue into a more intimate connection with God
I work at staying connected because I know that is what fulfills me
Seasonal Affective Disorder + COVID + holidays, equals a train wreck. However, we seem better.😳 My husband is coming up with personal emotional things that helps both of us. So comforting to know God is in control.
I’m so thankful for my circle right now and wouldn’t have made it through 2020 as well as I did without them.
Seeing folks in person is certainly helpful in feeling connected. Zoom also works, in my opinion. I think we get the connection that we seek, you get out of it what you put into it, it seems to me.
Feeling fortunate to have a good marriage. Pretty isolated except for client contact on zoom which of course is a one way relationship.
+ How would you describe your spiritual well-being?
Actually quite good. Retirement has given me more prayer and meditation time.
Meh
Learning new things.
Pretty good, I feel like I’ve had to depend on God and learn a lot more about him in this pandemic season which has been good :)
Curious. Open. Well.
Well
This has been spiritually productive time. I feel that with more time on my hands and given the issues facing our community and country, I have found myself in prayer more and reading daily.
The slower pace of things has made it easier for me to set aside and prioritize time to connect with jesus
It feels kinda nonexistent
well, not where i want to be
When I take the time to pay attention, be aware, I feel peace and grounded. I believe there is no place that God isn’t, yet I feel more connected when I am able to carve out sit & be time, and share Divine thoughts and beliefs with others.
Always on the journey- God is always available - I’m the one that flips in and out - just being a human being. He is patient with me and I always feel loved by Him. I do wonder if I am being all that He wants me to be. Hope so
Medium. Like a steak. Sometimes it's the best thing you've ever had and sometimes I don't touch it.
Longing for more of God. Finding the Inner Healing class with Katie Skurga has been very emotionally life-giving, and intellectually stimulating, and relationally strengthening. It has felt particularly timely for me.
It's been sagging a bit in the isolation and the days being filled with work (fortunately) but lacking the fun and recreation that are so important
Lots of adventure in the questions and mystery
Assured, but always challenged by doubts
I know God is with me but i have been feeling a little detached from the Lord. Just very very tired of all thats going on with the world, myself, my family, and just life period....
Good
Somewhere in the middle
I feel spiritually well, mostly. I have not felt a lot of learning lately, partially because of my own laziness and partially because routines have been disturbed.
Hungry/wanting. Theres a strong stirring with little stamina/inertia to get rolling.
order disorder reorder
Feeling solid.
+ What could Coastlands do to help strengthen your spiritual well-being?
Keep doing zoom church. Coastlands continues to be a key part of my community. My village.
Call me every morning and make me go to church! Jk umm...more brad jersak and paul young and you and your wonderful family forcing us to have hard conversations.
Keep doing what you have been doing.
Continue to offer online gatherings, only if convenient though.
I enjoy Chris' teaching and find it thought-provoking and deep.
A focus on abiding, Jn 15. Mike's koala bear analogy
I’m not sure
I don’t know if feels more like a personal thing
Continue offering consistent ways to plug in with virtual and/or distanced community.
Not sure- to be honest, I don’t feel it’s anyone’s job but my own to strengthen my walk with God. That being said, I love and appreciate the family of Coastlands
We just feel so grateful to be part of a community of Christ followers like Coastlands!
Joining the Zoom sessions or watching older lessons really helps me feel connected. A real spiritual lifeline right now, so thank you. I'm an unusual case as I'm in L.A. and can only join remotely except for the occasional weekend when I'm visiting Morro.
Keep doing what you hear God is doing
Continue connecting and challenging
Just lift me up in prayer. For my part i need to participate with my church family more.
Not sure
Post Zoom messages when they occur so I can have listen to any teachings I miss. :)
I think Coastlands is doing a great job in offering learning and connection opportunities! An idea could be to have a prayer request forum or place where people can sent their updates or prayer needs. That could help folks feel seen and heard, I think.
??? Discovering how the Spirit is calling on me and cultivating the promptings that excite me so that there is energy to keep rolling?
Like what you are doing.
+ What, if anything, have you enjoyed about Beach Church? What should we keep doing?
Simple. Small group discussions
Having small group discussions mixed in with the bigger group
Worship, getting to see everyone, meeting people, surfing after
It gives us a chance to come together, which we might not otherwise have. I feel it is a comfortable (and novel) place for new visitors, which is good. It seems like visitors enjoy it. I believe it is appealing to the college community.
I love the opportunity for live corporate worship. I also really liked the reading through a passage of scripture and then discussing it in groups. I’d like to do that more
I love the small groups. I love the worship.
seeing others, sharing
The interaction with community with common desire to connect with the God of Relationship and one another - while practicing safe care of one another through distancing and masks when coming/going
It’s been great
Worship and God-focus in beauty together; conversations with new and different people each week; stimulating topics.
As I mentioned, I can't really be part of this because I'm so far away
Appreciate the gathering the music the challenge the small group interaction
Personal contact. It’s all good.
Worship, teaching, and connecting in small groups
Small group discussions
Love the emphasis on small groups. Wisdom is shared more intentionally and the community feels stronger than a quick "greet your neighbor" moment.
The beauty of being on the beach and the interaction. Like the recorded music selections.
+ What could we do better if we continue to meet at the beach?
I am not a fan of the small group discussions. They take up too much of our Sunday gathering and are just not that productive for the limited time we have together. They can be awkward and force discussions when sometimes that is the last thing I want or need. I enjoy Chris' teaching and would like more of it.
Live worship if possible
Mixing up the groups! Ministry? Community service? Getting new people? Which I guess is more of on a individual’s action...
nothing, it's working
?
Keep mixing up the people, so family groups aren't always together, and people are getting to know new people each week.
Nothing creative to add: delightful
Keep mixing up groups. Mention that if you don’t know someone new,....introduction time?
I like how it is! Maybe a short message each time (sometimes it’s more read scripture and discussion in groups)
Don't know how but, maybe some way to create a stability group where you can build off the discussions each week? That way people know where you've been and continue to build with you??
Not sure
+ What else would you like us to consider as we make plans moving forward?
?
Nothing else comes to mind.
Keep up the great work
Nothing!
Regardless of the restrictions, doing what is best for the majority of your community. I completely understand and support the hopeful decision ahead to discontinue online gathering in consideration of Chris' bandwidth - it is not realistic for him and personal health, family, time, etc.
Yourself
continue looking for an indoor facility. We will need something by May-ish, as this is when most people will have received the vaccine.
Thoughts on outreach
We want to make sure you and Sarah know how thankful we are for your leadership at Coastlands.
Nothing else I can think of
not sure at this time
Free text for hosting outdoor house gatherings: I would have to talk with Robert about that prior - he’s further on the scared spectrum than I am, & he’s not with me right now to ask. :)
Thank you for consideration for those of us participating online.
Nothing comes to mind right now
I don't know.
Are we considering finding a permanent meeting place? It feels like an important conversation.
nothing right now, I really enjoy what you're doing
Hoping for an indoor gathering place
Nothing creative to add at this time
Just keep doing what you are doing. I think you are doing good.
.?
I know it’s tough, but I am concerned about the kids. I don’t have a great solution, but I do think they should be considered.
Might go without saying but, Advent scripture teachings.
It would be refreshing to find more tangible ways to serve the community and cultivate the church with our gifts beyond a screen or a check.
ways to reach out to our community
We are going to be reluctant to do much face to face until vaccine arrives.
+ Overall, how would you say we are doing at facilitating the Coastlands community?
Really, really well!
Good in light of all that’s happening
Pretty good
Excellent
Great! Beach church has been so good! I like the idea of doing more small group studies and/or activities. Thankful for the care and intention taken in architecting this community!
Incredible!
Well
Very good. I would like to continue to see more efforts to contact people who are isolated and general make sure we are checking in with those who used to be part of our community but have dropped off the grid.
Things are going well considering the situation and surge. We have time to reconsider and adjust to a new normal.
Great :)
can't tell as sundays are my basic exposure, are there other exposures?
I am so grateful for the openness & willingness to facilitate consistent connection. I love the conversations that encourage me to look up and out rather than just inside my own circle of thoughts subject to my experiences. I am very encouraged by this community. Thank you.
I read this to be how are we collectively as a community holding up during this time.
Great under difficult times.
There are many people I have not seen since March, either at Zoom or beach church. Wondering who is "Coastlands community" after such cultural upheaval as the Pandemic has brought? Perhaps this survey will help bring some answers to that question. Thank you Faillas and Board for standing in the gap through such tumultuous cultural shifts.
FABULOUS!
Very well
You are doing great, standing strong and moving forward. You are also considerate of others feelings.
Considering, fine
I think you are providing a safe and valuable place for people to come together in person and virtually during this time. I know it’s not easy, but you’re doing a great job.
I have felt well cared for and seen! Thank you!
Very good. I see a lot people at this time having the revelation that they wished their church looked more like ours in community, connection, and flexibility.
beautifully ommunity
You are doing a great job during difficult times. Thank you for your interactive leadership.
