On Sunday, May 5, ninety-two of us spent two hours together over an amazing “Cinco de Mayo” themed lunch making observations, interpretations, asking questions, and creating playful interventions around the challenge of declining attendance at Grace.
The Session has identified five emerging ministry emphases: caring, connecting, learning, serving, and worshipping. This past Sunday’s Step 2 in Our Interim Pastor Journey Town Hall meetings further clarified the emerging ministry emphases and Grace’s identity profile as we move closer in acknowledging who we are as a church and what two or three ministry areas our next Pastor must be proficient and gifted in. If we are able to retain a Director position, that individual will focus on the two or three ministry emphases not being filled by the new Pastor. Both positions will need many equipped lay people working alongside the Pastor and Director to fulfill Grace’s calling.
Philippians 1:6 reads, “I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.” And, yes, I see God’s ongoing completion of what God started in my life at thirteen years old and in Grace Presbyterian Church’s life beginning in 1909.
Grace and our individual lives are built on the foundation of Jesus Christ. The sovereignty, providence, and presence of God is always at work in order to complete God’s purpose for each one of us and Grace Presbyterian Church.
We will continue Our Interim Pastor Journey Town Hall Meetings with Step 3 on Sunday, August 11, immediately following the 10:30 am single worship service.
What are Grace’s strengths and challenges (already acknowledging declining attendance as one) as we move forward in evaluating worship services, ministry emphases, and staffing transitions?
On the journey of Christian discipleship and spiritual formation with you, I remain faithfully yours,
Steve
The Rev. Dr. Steven M. Marsh
Interim Pastor
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