From the Pastor’s Desk

Dear Grace Community,

As I look to my final two Sundays with you, I write to answer some questions.  One question that I am asked is about my involvement with you and Grace when I am no longer your pastor. I can’t attend events or worship at Grace when I’m no longer your pastor, nor can I lead worship, including funerals.

I won’t stop caring for you and about you, but it’s important to draw these lines.  When I hear that you ...

Dear Grace Community,

I want you to know about a conversation your Session has engaged with since June. The topic is our church’s welcome of the LGBTQ community.  I initiated the conversation out of a desire for clarity.

In 2011 the PCUSA (our denomination) removed the language from our Book of Order that prohibited the ordination of members of the non-celibate LGBTQ community.  I do not recall there being many conversations about this at Grace.  I, or another pastor, may have written ...

Dear Grace Community,

Earlier this year our Session, at my encouragement, committed to a staffing study for our church.  We then contracted with Ministry Architects to make this study happen.  Each year as we make a budget, we do so with uncertainty about whether we can maintain our staff and offer a modest cost of living increase to our employees.  We make it work, but then we start to worry about ‘next year.’

Grace is much different than it was 12 years ...

Dear Grace Community,

I give thanks for Jennifer Snook and her gifts for ministry.  I give thanks often and especially now as Jennifer transitions out of her role as our Director of Children’s Ministries. Jennifer has family commitments that call for more and more of her time, and so the Session accepted her resignation. She will stay on in a very part time role through the end of the spring Sunday School Session.  In the coming weeks you’ll hear more from ...

Dear Grace Community,

Last week I had the opportunity to travel to Montreat, North Carolina, for the Presbyterian Association of Musicians “Worship and Music” Conference.  The good news for me is that you don’t have to be a musician to attend, though musicians do outnumber pastors in attendance.  I last attended the conference in 2018 and was glad to return.

Some of you know that Montreat is an important place for me, so it’s a double treat to attend an enriching conference ...