Conklin-Broad Avenue-North News

November Newsletter                         

Dear friends,

Wow! How good it is to be back! Boy do we have a lot of catching
up to do!

First a lot of thanks are in order. I can’t thank everyone enough for all of the work that went into making my Pastoral Renewal time such a wonderful experience. The team that wrote the grant; the team that made sure that everything was in place during my absence; the folks who carried all the work for which I am usually responsible: more people than I could possibly name in one newsletter article - to each and everyone of you I offer my heartfelt thank you!

How do I begin to express my gratitude for the welcome home celebration complete with a fire engine and beautiful cakes!? The warmth of that event was touching beyond my ability to express. On top of that you all still went ahead and did a Pastor Appreciation Sunday. The chocolate, the gift card and the notes, each were very thoughtful and fully unanticipated. Haven’t you done more than enough already? I am reading the notes one or two a day to stretch out the joy and to keep me from getting too choked up all at one time. To one and all, I say thank you very much!

A couple of big items to catch you up on as well. Our hearing with the judge for the arbitration brought against us by Chiannis and Anderson Architects went extremely well. Those who testified on our behalf did an out standing job of stating the truth clearly and well. The lawyer who has been our advocate has given us 110% of his effort and I am very grateful to him. Both sides will be giving their summations to the judge within the week and then the judge will render his decision some time after reviewing those and all the evidence we provided. Keep up your prayers that the judge sees the truth and rules favorably toward our congregation.

I shared with all of you who were in worship on October 25 the answer to a prayer. I have been driven to my knees over the Building Fund. I am convinced that we have done what God called us to do but I have been chagrined about the lack of commitment in funding the repayment of the mortgage. I have been praying my heart out over this. The other day someone came into my office and told me that he or she would like to give $5,000.00 to the Building Fund above their pledge amount with one proviso - that it be a challenge to the congregation to match the gift with extra giving above their pledges. In other words this person will match your extra commitment giving dollar for dollar up to $5,000.00. All you have to do is mark your check or envelope “extra for the Building Fund” and that gift will be matched dollar for dollar. I truly believe this act of generosity is a sign from God in answer to my and others prayers. God is good and God is faithful.

What an exciting place this is!

In Christ’s love,