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Both Sides
By Rev. Nina D. Grey
June, 2003
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June brings many-faceted endings and beginnings.
Rev. Marlene has received a call to the Grand Junction, Colorado congregation.
Her final worship service is June 15. Then she and Gloria finish packing and
move to Colorado. We will honor Marlene at a June 6 family feast, a June 13
All-Church Farewell Celebration and after church Social Hour on June 15. The
first half of June brings opportunities for saying goodbye, for letting Marlene
know how very much she has meant to us, and for wishing her a most fruitful
ministry in the coming years.
Marlene has given us a great deal and we shall miss her very much. Aware of our
loss, we are responding to feelings, sharing information and being in dialogue.
We are looking backward and forward. And this time of transition inspires us to
plan together for the congregation's future.We have agreed on hiring an Interim
Minister for Religious Education for each of the next two years, with a Mission,
Vision, and Covenant process in the first year. As we decided this, I could hear
and feel hope and excitement. The decision continues our momentum, bringing needed
skills, as together we shape our church direction.
We are also marking other transitions. June 1st , Mind the Gap Sunday, honors
our 8th graders and the bridging of our 12th graders into young adulthood. Mind
the Gap Sunday asks our financial contributions for youth and young adult programming,
for our denomination and church. Such celebration helps us focus on the needs
of young people and strengthen our congregational life. June 8th, Stefanie Etzbach-Dale,
our Meadville/Lombard student, ends her 4-month fieldwork. Stefanie spent time
with Montgomery Place residents, led worship at Montgomery Place and church, and
co-led the Small Group Ministry Learning Group. We've enjoyed her presence and
wish her a fine California internship experience next year. In May we also said
goodbye to Rosie Rimrodt, RE program and office assistant. Rosie moves to ordination
June 15 and next steps in ministry.
A full month, indeed, this is also a time for celebration of our community. We
worship together on Flower Communion Sunday, June 8, and enjoy our all-church
picnic on that same day. And our Interim Ministry Search Committee has started
its work. Also, on June 21, we welcome Larry Wheeler, capital campaign consultant,
for a Capital Campaign Assessment Workshop and in the near future, our Mission,
Vision, and Covenant work begins.A personal note: I will miss Flower Communion,
the Picnic and some June worship services, recovering after laparascopic surgery
on June 6. Here, let me simply say that I am expecting a fine outcome and good,
rapid recovery, and am grateful for the support of family, friends, and you, my
beloved congregation. By the June 21, I hope to join at least some of the Capital
Campaign Assessment Workshop; I look forward with hope and excitement, to a good
personal recovery and to our next steps as we work together strengthening the
life and ministry of our church.
In faith, with love,
Nina
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