As I write this, during the last days of June, the hours are ticking down until I’m officially Board President on July 1st. Thank you for the faith you’ve shown in me by voting me into the position. It feels like a bigger job now that we will be a “lay-led” congregation, at least for a while.
As a congregation, we’ve had many challenges, many of them before my time. There were the tragic and horrifying shootings at the abortion clinic, several moves from one worship location to another, the positive challenges of beginning and growing our endowment, and then, of course, the world-wide pandemic.
In preparing to write this monthly letter to you all, I looked back at what Arnie wrote when it was his first month as Board President. At that time, the congregation was just beginning to meet again in person after over a year of meeting only online via video or Zoom. Personally, although I know Covid is still a threat, I’m immeasurably grateful for the vaccine and the multiple boosters that help keep us safe, perhaps not from any infection, but at least by reducing the possibility of major illness or death.
So clearly, not having a minister, a situation our congregation has faced many other years in its history, isn’t that daunting a challenge; because I KNOW, without a doubt, that all of us, everyone to whom this church is important, will step up and meet this challenge with me. Over the last few weeks, I’ve called many of you with the goal of learning what kind of activities fuel your passions and will best make you part of our community. This is everyone’s opportunity to join in and let your “little light” shine. We need everyone’s participation more than ever before. This is YOUR church, and you make it happen. And if it matters, know this; I’m an avid and very appreciative cheerleader, and I work to always be aware of, and appreciative for, the personal time, talent and treasure that everyone here provides.
If you have any thoughts on any ways you might participate which haven’t yet been addressed, please call, email, or text me! I would love to hear from you. Our work (actually YOUR work) is important not only to our church community, but also to the wider community of Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties, Eastern Alabama and really everywhere we connect by internet.
My primary goal for this year will be to encourage all of us, everyone, to build stronger connections within the church and outside the church in the wider community.
As we build more and deeper connections with each other, I hope we will continue and increase the quality and quantity of our communications, the width and breadth of our outreach to the outside community, the presence, relevance, and sustainability of our pastoral care, and the depth of our spiritual connection and investigation.
And as we do so, it naturally follows that we will strive to promote justice for our brothers and sisters, and speak up for those who aren’t able to speak for themselves, or whose voices are not heard.
Over the last seven years, this church community has meant the world to me, and I know it is important to us all. With your help, we are going to have a year of growth and celebration. This I know.