Wednesday, March 25, 2015

The Difference in a Year

March 29, 2014. Steve Miller (and probably Linda) got up early in the morning, boarded a train, and headed to Tacoma, Washington. I greeted Steve at the train station and drove him to my empty apartment. Once there, I bid her sister farewell. Steve hopped into the U-haul, me into my car, and we hit I-5 and headed to Eugene.

Yes, friends, I have been here for a year! In many ways I feel as if I have always been here – always known you, and in other ways, I can’t believe a year has come and gone.  I have now been with you for every season of the church and for every season of nature. 

We have had some highs and we have had some lows. I’ve performed 2 memorial services – three with Pat Lanier’s on April 11th, and no weddings. There have been no baptisms. No new members.

There is a devoted group of adult Bible study where we learn more about scripture, more about the Lord we claim to follow, and more about one another. The Lenten Soup & Study is fantastic! The Deacons and I are reading our second book together. Session is discussing a different  book – giving us insight and ideas for the future of Peace. The new Session has energy, enthusiasm, and tremendous hope for the future. They are moving forward with the Ministry Plan developed by the session and deacons in September.

Watch for some exciting changes that will make us more visible, more family friendly, more alive. Embrace what God is doing among us! Pray for your church – every day. Pray for the leadership, for the congregation, for the people that God will bring to us. Pray that God would show you ways to get involved! If a 100-year old woman can sew nearly 1,000 “Little Dresses for Africa”, there is something that each and every one of us can do to bring new life and stability to Peace Presbyterian. Embrace change. Talk with your elders and see how you can help. 

I can’t wait to see where God has taken us in the upcoming year.  Thank you for calling me as your pastor. I really love being here.
Grace and peace

Pastor Debbie

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