The new season brings with it a time of significant change and heartfelt transition for our church family. As we embrace these changes, we hold firm to our belief that a church, much like its people, should always be learning, growing, and adapting to better reflect God’s love in the world.
We have some exciting news to share! Following a 94% approval vote at our congregational meeting in August, we are thrilled to welcome Mark Makowski as our new part-time Associate Pastor. Mark officially begins his ministry with us on September 1. This month will also be a time to say a fond farewell to Pastor Jim, whose last Sunday with us will be September 14. If you have not yet donated to his love gift, I urge you to do so as soon as possible. We invite you all to join us for worship on his last Sunday (September 14) as we celebrate his time with us and wish him well on his next journey.
Beyond these transitions, our busy season is kicking into high gear. Our choir, under the leadership of our Director of Music and Worship, Jennifer Hoppe, begins rehearsals this month, preparing to sing on September 14. Many of our small groups and committees are also resuming their regular meetings and activities.
As we navigate these changes, our message as a progressive church remains the same: How can we be agents of transformation in the world? How can we do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God? We’ll continue to explore how to embrace a faith that is inclusive, action-oriented, and relevant to the challenges we face today.
We encourage you to make an extra effort to be present in worship this month. Let’s come together to welcome Pastor Mark, honor Pastor Jim, and journey onward as a church that is, as Yogi Berra once said, “the same, but different.”
Shalom, Paul