Conklin-Broad Avenue-North News

February 2012 Newsletter                         

What a year 2011 turned out to be, right? With all the upheavals around the globe and even another flood in our own community, I think we were all ready to wave goodbye to the year past. But if we are glad to move on from the pains of this last year, are we ready to begin 2012 with anticipation and faith?

I want to say thanks to each one of you who made 2011 a year of progress even as we grieved the loss of our senior pastor. We owe a debt of gratitude to both our leadership boards, our Diaconate, led so capably by Sherrie Jacobs, and to our Session members and each committee chair, who have worked tirelessly to make sure we continued to move forward in ministry and in faith.

Our Personnel Committee in particular, has done yeoman's work over the past year to oversee and direct the work of communicating and coordinating the monumental task of searching for our next senior pastor. They have had other staffing and committee assignment decisions to face as well, and they've done their work with great faith and tireless faithfulness. Special thanks to Jean Fairbairn and Ron Jackson.

We could not have had meaningful worship services week in and week out without the contributions of Dottie Jean Baer, among the other music leaders. We will say goodbye to her on the last Sunday in January and we will be forever in her debt for the grace and professionalism she has shown over the many years of loving service to Christ and His Church.

I would like to say a special word of thanks to our Finance committee as well for the added burden they carried this year of managing and communicating our financial needs throughout the transition of this year. Mrs. Dana, J.P. Tschang, Joanne Palmer and Karla have kept things running smoothly around the church from week to week and without their sharp foresight, we wouldn't have such an organized budget or such a well—run office.

And finally of course, I want to again thank our flood relief team for the way they laid down their lives for the sake of the Gospel during the two months (and longer in some cases!) following the second catastrophic rise of the river. I am a man who makes my living with words, but I struggle to find the kind of language that adequately describes the effort put forth by these individuals. God knows how much you gave.

It's been a tough year for many of us and I'm thankful for the ways you have responded to the various needs inside and outside the walls of our church building. We may be in transition, but we are a healthy, vibrant congregation whose love for the Lord is evident to others.

May 2012 bring us many more opportunities to love and serve the world as we express our faith in Jesus.

His peace,
Pastor Steve