AND SO IT BEGINS……
Friends in Christ:
You did it! You have traversed the wilderness of transition and change, and together called your new Pastor/Head of Staff. With the power and providence of the Holy Spirit, you have discerned your needs for the future and found a leader who is eager to partner with you on that journey. And my heart is filled with joy and hope for the community of faith called Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church. (The vote to call Doug as your Pastor was 354 in favor, 9 opposed).
I cannot say enough about your Pastor Nominating Committee, a group of dedicated saints who have worked together in an honest, thorough, and collaborative way. They listened to you, they listened to the Holy Spirit, and they listened to each other, in order to present Doug King as your next Pastor. When I worked with the PNC last fall, I was aware that there were differences of vision and opinion among the eleven members, and I wondered how this would all end. But through time and wisdom and care for one another, they ended up with a unanimous and enthusiastic recommendation. To Sarah and Ralph, the fearless Co-Chairs of the PNC, and to Linda and Lisa and Rick1 and Rick2 and John and Laila and Mary and Carol and Steve – thank you for giving LCPC a unique gift and a promising future.
Last week I re-read the Mission Study prepared by the PNC in January, based on the questionnaire results and community conversations in which hundreds of you participated. And I found the section outlining the qualities you all identified as important in your next Pastor. Having spent a little time with Doug and Marta, I believe that you have found what is often called a “good match.” With over 20 years of parish experience, Doug King is a warm and caring pastor who remembers names and listens well; a collaborative leader who empowers and appreciates strong staff and lay leadership; one who loves and is committed to quality reformed worship and music; a biblical, narrative preacher; a servant leader who has a passion for mission outreach; an experienced administrator who has supervised a large staff in a church similar in size to LCPC; a committed presbyter; and a strategic thinker and leader. Most important, Doug feels a deep and authentic call to serve Ladue Chapel.
Doug and Marta hope to arrive in St. Louis in early November. (Over the weekend, they were able to find a house in the Central West End, and offer a bid). After I leave on September 30th, Mel and Dieter and David and Anne and Courtney will serve with excellence, as you all await this new beginning.
BUT, in the meantime – don’t forget this coming Sunday, September 20th during the online 10:30 service. After 8 years as your youth minister and as Designated Pastor (limited by contract), Mel Smith (acting on your congregational call to her at the Annual Meeting in February), will be installed to be an Associate Pastor. The Rev. Erin Counihan (Pastor of the Oak Hill Presbyterian Church in St. Louis) will be the guest preacher (fasten your seat belts!), and Mel’s friends from this presbytery and from around the country will participate. It promises to be a memorable service! And then later in the afternoon – from 4:30-6:00pm – we will have an Installation Celebration in the Parking Lot honoring Mel – with a Seoul Taco Truck (you pay) and an Ice Cream truck (the church pays). See the details below.
So much to celebrate and so much to anticipate! Let the party begin!
Blessings – Susan Andrews
