From the Pastor’s Desk

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 a newsletter article about it, but those of you who were here then will recall that it was a time of huge transition at Grace, and our focus was more inward.

In 2015 the PCUSA added language to the Book of Order stating that marriage involves a unique commitment between two people, traditionally a man and a woman, to love and support each other for the rest of their lives. It is also noted that no pastor is required to perform same-sex weddings, nor is a church required to hold one.

Our Session voted to say that we receive and review each request for same-sex weddings in the same way we do weddings between men and women and do not prohibit weddings because of sexuality.

Since that vote in 2015, we haven’t talked about this formally as a congregation or Session.  When I talk with visitors who might make Grace their church home, I share this history with them. For some in our congregation, this is all history; we talked about it, and we’re done.  For others, there is a desire to talk more.

I sensed that it was time to talk more, in part because when we don’t talk about something that people are curious or passionate about, the absence of words can be problematic.  I also know that someone looking for a church might wonder about these issues at Grace, and there is nowhere to point them for information.

After months of conversation, the Session has decided to create a statement of welcome to be shared on our website and in our weekly worship insert. This statement is still in draft form but essentially affirms what the PCUSA has said: that all people are welcome, and we choose leaders based on faith, gifting, and character, and not sexuality.  The Session votes on this in October.

I know that some of you long for more conversation and action, while some of you prefer that we not discuss this as a congregation ever again.  Therein lies one of the challenges of being a church.  I am reminded of what our Book of Order challenges us to be as a church, “a community of witness, pointing beyond itself through word and work to the good news of God’s transforming grace in Christ Jesus its Lord.”

I am glad to talk with any of you more about why I brought this up this summer or anything related to it.  Members of the Session are also glad to engage with you.

In Christ,
Catherine

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From the Pastor’s Desk: May 2022

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 ago when I came here.  (Yes, it really was August of 2010 when I moved here.)  And like most churches, we are different than we were before the pandemic.  In recognition of all of this, I would like to have a set of outside eyes help us evaluate what does and doesn’t make sense for us in our staffing, particularly related to long term financial sustainability.

We are not in a crisis, nor do we need to cut staff right now, and I do not want us to get to a place where we make decisions out of fear.  Instead, working with Ministry Architects allows us to take a step back and think about where we are and where we are called.  That way we can make decisions based out of planning and not panic.

Mike Crain, our Ministry Architects’ consultant, is on site June 13 and 14.  He meets with staff and groups like the Session.  His report will come with proposals for ways we might move forward, but how we move forward is up to us. The Session and I will share with you as we move forward, and we are grateful for your prayers and encourage your questions.

In Christ,

Catherine

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From the Pastor’s Desk: Staffing News

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 me about ways we can celebrate the seven years Jennifer has been on our church staff.

The Session and personnel team are looking at different ways to handle immediate and long-term children’s ministry responsibilities. At its February meeting the Session approved the hiring of a church consultant to help us look at our staffing structure, both for long and short term.  I’ll share more about that with you as we begin the process.

In Christ,
Catherine

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From the Pastor’s Desk

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 there.  Alice got to go with me and participate in “clubs,” which is day camp, and my parents and sister (and her family) were there to help me juggle things. In addition, I got to see cousins, ministry friends, and some of my seminary professors.

I took three classes. The first was a lecture on the joy and value of singing together  The lecturer, Tom Trenney, was wonderful, and the time was holy.

The second class was on copyright.  My answer for the last 15 months when it comes to questions about streaming and copyright has been, “ask Martin,” so when I saw this offered, I thought I should take advantage of it.  While not loads of fun, the instructors (two musicians, one of whom is also a lawyer) were great.

The final class I took was Bible Study with Dr. Margaret Aymer who teaches New Testament at Austin Seminary.  She previously served at Johnson C. Smith Seminary and worshiped at the church where I served in Atlanta.  The entire week focused on Matthew 18, with us looking at a different section each day.  You get to experience some of what I learned when I preach from this book in August.

Then we worshiped. We worshiped together six times, each worship service focusing on a different holy day: Pentecost, Baptism of the Lord, Ash Wednesday, Christ the King Sunday, All Saints, and World Communion. When passionate people spend two years planning worship, it’s pretty incredible, and I loved the worship experience.

The Presbyterian News Service wrote multiple articles about the conference, including this one>

I’m grateful for the opportunity to attend this conference.

In Christ,
Catherine

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From the Pastor’s Desk

Dear Grace Community,

On Sunday, October 25, you surprised me at the end of worship.  I knew that the personnel team wanted to recognize my 10 years at Grace, but I thought it might be with a nice note.  Instead you gifted me with new paraments for worship, and me and my family with the means for a wonderful vacation.  We love to explore and travel together and can’t wait to plan our next adventure.

Speaking of adventures, being your pastor is certainly that.  When I came here 10 years ago, I thought I might stay three years, maybe five if it went well. Things in the church were unsteady in that first two years, and I wondered if I’d make it to three. I’m so glad I did.

While much was unsteady in those early years, you were not. You welcomed me as your pastor. You trusted me. You prayed for me.  You encouraged me and supported me. You let me try new things. Day after day and year after year, I am blessed by your faith, your compassion, and your love for God.  It is an honor to be your pastor.  Thank you.

In Christ,
Catherine

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