Dear Friends,

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Greetings in the name of Jesus!  I wrote in our last newsletter about June and July being months of transition.  Those words certainly proved to be true.  As expected, we said goodbye to Pastor Amanda and were hoping to hire someone to fill our part-time youth ministry position. The Staff Parish Relations Committee has not received any qualified candidates even though we are still searching. 

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With the program year approaching, the Church Council has decided to try a new approach as proposed by the Staff Parish Relations Committee.  Jennie Smith will become our Youth Ministry Coordinator in addition to being our Children’s Ministry Director. This position will provide administrative support to our youth ministry team of adults including planning curriculum, coordinating volunteers, managing finances, and communicating with the congregation, Church Council, and parents of our youth about the ministry.  Jennie will begin this new role on August 1st.

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A few weeks ago, Claus Cleaning resigned as our cleaning service effective July 31st.  Since we received this word, the Board of Trustees has begun the search for a new company to take over these duties, and are in the process of receiving bids.  In the interim, Claus Cleaning has agreed to extend their contract with us through the month of August. The winds of change continue to blow at Bakerstown! 

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During our training in Dream Tables, Dr. Sue Nilson Kibbey introduced the concept of a coracle, which is a small boat without a sail or a rudder.  It can either be steered by paddle or not at all!  Legend has it that Saint Brendan of Ireland set out on many voyages in a coracle depending only on the winds, the waves and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead him.  Dr. Kibbey uses this image for the church.  What if we invited the wind of the Spirit to direct us to new adventures God has in store?  What if in addition to the winds of change it is the breath of the Spirit leading us?

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Many of us have been praying the Breakthrough Prayer asking God to guide us:

 

Loving God, breakthrough the busyness of our lives

so that we might stop to hear your voice,

discern where you are leading and

go in the power of your Spirit in Jesus' name. Amen.

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We have asked those attending church this summer to share how God is breaking through in your lives – you can place a paper butterfly, parrot or leaf near the tree on the dividing wall in the narthex – if you want, you can write on the paper what God is doing or simply add the paper to the wall as a symbol of God moving in your life.

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 As we move towards Fall, we will be looking for ways to envision God’s new and next for us.  I am looking forward to the new things God has in store for us as we continue to pray and discern together.

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Blessings,

Pastor Keith