As I complete my third week as our Interim Pastor, I am overflowing with gratitude for the staff, elders, deacons, trustees, volunteers in the ministries at and of Grace, and everyone who calls Grace Presbyterian Church their church home and family.

As I mentioned in my column last week, my next with our congregants, elders, deacons, trustees, and staff is to host Saturday morning or Sunday after the 11:00 am service or a combination of Saturday and Sunday dates for Town Hall meetings to discuss the six steps of interim ministry. The Town Hall meetings will either include breakfast or lunch. It is my goal to gain as much ownership from the participants as possible in how we move forward in shaping the renewed and invigorated Grace. I have noted the anticipated month to hold the Town Hall meetings.

At the Town Hall meeting for steps 1-6 below, I will…

1. Assist the congregation to ascertain how our past has shaped who we are today (March).
2. Assist the congregation in clarifying its identity (May).
3. Assist the congregation in identifying its strengths and challenges, including any staffing (lay or ordained) transitions (July).
4. Assist the congregation to strengthen its relationship with the larger church and local community (September).
5. Assist the congregation in preparing for new leadership by encouraging the people to envision and plan for a new future (November).
6. Assist the congregation in evaluating the ongoing implementation and progress of our strategic plan (January 2025).

Over the weeks and months ahead, God will use each one of us to create a united, invigorated, and renewed Grace Presbyterian Church as we walk together with Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.

On the journey of Christian discipleship with you, I remain faithfully yours,

Steve

Let me begin by thanking Anne Burris, Bob Ross, Carolyn Shaw, Jasper Lesage, and a host of volunteers for putting together the Welcome Reception for Janet and me last Sunday. And a shout out to those who brought the covered dishes. They were “tasty” and a great complement to smoked pulled pork.

My next step with our congregants, elders, deacons, and staff is to host Town hall meetings on Saturday morning or Sunday after the 11:00 am service or a combination of Saturday and Sunday dates to discuss each of the bullet points below. The Town Hall meetings will include either breakfast or lunch.

We have six discussions for each of the six bullet points in an authentic, genuine, open, and constructive way. I want to gain as much ownership from the participants as possible in how we move forward in shaping the renewed and invigorated Grace. I will be…

• Assisting the congregation in ascertaining how our past has shaped who we are today.
• Helping the congregation clarify its identity.
• Facilitating the congregation to identify its strengths and challenges, including any staffing (lay or ordained) transitions.
• Guiding the congregation in strengthening its relationship with the larger church and local community.
• Assisting the congregation in preparing for new leadership, encouraging the people to envision and plan for a new future.
• Assisting with the ongoing implementation of our recently developed strategic plan.

I’m excited to begin this journey with you. I anticipate an enriching time together as we lean into the Grace Presbyterian Church God envisions through each congregant, elder, deacon, and staff member. And God will use each one of us to create a unifying identity for Grace.

On the journey of Christian discipleship with you, I remain faithfully yours,

Steve

The Rev. Dr. Steven M. Marsh, Interim Pastor