Looking back at the past month, I’m reminded of the show of support Anne & I received as we once again had to tend to our family in the midst of loss. This community continues to be such a real gift in our lives. The busy Advent & Christmas season arrived in expected fashion, but the planning and preparation has really paid off, allowing for a manageable pace which leaves space to live more deeply with the promises made real in the coming of Jesus. Amen for that! Here are highlights of updates I recently shared with our Congregation Council:
Sabbatical
Originally planned to begin after this coming Easter, I have elected to postpone my sabbatical until, hopefully, the spring of 2023. This is for a number of reasons but continuing Covid-realities are chief among them. One benefit to this delay will be an opportunity to reapply for grant funding through the Clergy Renewal Program. The Camino will have to wait. This decision does open up some other possibilities for the coming year including, Covid-permitting, a visit to our partners in Tanzania in my capacity on the board of the Lutheran Center. This would also mean a chance to connect with our partner congregations as well. I hope to find some smaller pieces of time for rest and renewal throughout the year ahead and give thanks for the on-going support that makes this possible.
2020-21 Fiscal Year Audit
Our Audit Committee, Christer Cederberg and Yvonne Miller, indicate that they are nearing completion of their audit of our 2020-21 fiscal year. Even with the chaos and disruptions of the past year, our records remain in order. Kudos to Kristin Bloxham and Caryn Josephson for the work they have done to support and equip the audit team as this year’s effort has gone remarkably smoothly. The completed audit results will be included in our annual report, published in January.
Nominating Leaders for 2022
The Nominating Committee, Milt Warkentien, Jim Josephson, and Esther Tatley, are preparing the next slate of leaders to be elected at our semi-annual meeting of the congregation to take place on Sunday, January 30. There are two key positions that they are struggling to identify potential successors – Congregation Vice-President and Congregation Treasurer as the current leaders are term limited per our constitution. Recommendations and suggestions for either of these roles can be made to any member of the Nominating Committee.
Worship & Ministry Planning for 2022
Our year of Reconnecting and Renewing continues. We’re launching a new worship series for the season of Epiphany entitled, “Come & See” on Sunday, January 9. The Big Idea Team recently convened to discern a theme for the coming Lent & Holy Week which will begin with Ash Wednesday on March 2. All who might be interested are invited to join a Creative Arts Team that will convene in January to shape our Lenten journey and Holy Week celebrations to come.
I look forward with eager anticipation to the possibilities we will uncover together in the coming new year.