Dear Pine Street Church Family,

I am pleased to announce that we are moving forward into our new future with the launching of our Pastoral Search Committee and the process they will engage in to seek and recommend an excellent new pastor to lead our congregation. As the Church By-Laws direct, the Council of Ministries was charged with the responsibility for the formation of the Pastoral Search Committee. Please thank these search committee members for their willingness to undertake this very important task: Ruth Efe, Debbie Setlock, Estelle Torpy, Barbara Schuttenberg, Rick Vaughn, Doug Yeiser and Larry VanSpriell. The team will meet regularly and work with our Region Consultant, Mike Oldham, in the months ahead looking for that special person and pastor.

While the appointment of a search committee is a significant development for Pine Street Church, it is important to gratefully acknowledge the role of the "time of transition" we have been experiencing for this last year. Pastor Duncan's pastoral presence and devoted ministry has enabled us to return to our spiritual roots recognizing our intimate connection to God in all things. We have all participated in the quest to identify who we are today and what is most valued by this body of Christ, through the naming our core values. As a dear friend reminded me recently, this transition time has also provided us with time to rest and reflect on the wilderness journey we have shared and what God may have for our future. And just as importantly, this time of transition has pointed to a need to forge a "new path" recognizing that the world, including the church-world has changed in this 21st century. As always, and in all times, we have a calling to be God's hands and feet and heart. Our church needs to learn what that means for a new day. More than ever an open and affirming church has great responsibility!

Truly a new adventure and an exciting time ahead for us who love Pine Street Church! Please know that your prayers and support during this time of discernment and discovery are so very important.

Grace & peace,

Larry

WHEN IT'S YOUR TURN..........

Dear Pine S treet Church Friends,

Now that I have been your Interim Pastor for over six months I would like to share with you an important concept concerning church harmony and unity. I am sharing this not because we are in disharmony or in danger o f losing our church unity, but because the best time to bring up such issues is when things are going well in the life of the congregation. In this article I would like to share with you a way for us to be a "church" which insures that our life together stays one of harmony and unity. 

In talking about this topic I could quote from the many passages in Paul's letters where he addresses the same issues. Colossians 3:12-7 and I Corinthians 12:12-26 are perhaps two of the best if you want to look them up. Always living out of the Fruits of the Spirit as found in Galatians 5:22-23 would also do the trick. (Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Generosity, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-control) But let me share with you a simple folk philosophy of life together that when followed will also create a spirit of peace, harmony, and togetherness. It is very simple, but I assure you there is great wisdom and spiritual depth in its simplicity. It is simply this:

"When It Is Your Turn, You Do It Your Way-When It Is Someone Else's Turn, You Let Them Do It Their Way - And We Always Celebrate Our Differences."

This simple organization philosophy both empowers and challenges those who we ask to take on important responsibilities. Of course, there has to be some "boundaries" around our life together for this simple folk philosophy to work. I believe those boundaries are articulated in our Core Values which we will be looking at as a congregation on October 23rd. You can review that draft by clicking here. As new ideas and new programs come forth the most important question for the church to ask is "Does this fit with our Core Values"? If it does then the next question is "how do we implement it?" That is actually why an articulated set of "Core Values" is important to the life of the church or any organization.

And, of course, praying for our church and for each other also helps. Let's not forget prayer.

More will follow.
Love, Duncan