A place of “building relationships, empowering people and supporting people” are just a few of the reasons that Fred Park is thankful when he thinks of the Nativity community. As our congregation says good-bye to this long-time leader of our church and his amazing wife Renee, his words remind us of the rich tapestry of family that remains. “I am thankful that we have a church community that cares about each other,” he shares, “and has had pastors who have understood that, embraced that.”
One can hardly think of leadership at Nativity without thinking of Fred. He has held many positions of service throughout the years. We may never sing Holden Evening Prayer again without hearing Fred’s voice echo in our collective memory, starting the service with “Jesus Christ is the light of the world.” He and Renee joined Nativity in the fall of 1985 while they were working at and living at Lutheridge and have been active part of so many ministries ever since.
Reflecting on his time at Nativity, Fred shares that the most meaningful ministries with which he was involved included work both calling and supporting pastors. He feels that the connection between calling a pastor into the congregation and then supporting that pastor as a part of Mutual Ministry is critical for both the pastor and the congregation. Whether acting as an advocate on these committees or serving his terms as President of the Congregational Council he recognizes, “I felt like I was supporting the pastor so that that person could be pastor. . . . that person was freed up mentally, emotionally . . .to be the spiritual leader we needed.”
Not all of Fred’s involvement at Nativity has been hard work. He names softball and Youth Beach Retreats as the most fun ministries with which he was involved. While he and Renee packed-up, he found a box full of saved t-shirts from all the beach retreats he attended. Watching the youth grow during these weeks and witnessing the kids develop into leaders in the congregation has been joyful for Fred. Fred reminds us that fellowship opportunities are equally important in guiding and shaping the faith of congregants of all ages.
Fred appreciates that Nativity is a place where people have been empowered to lead and participate in a variety of ministries. He feels that there is a community ownership in the ministry of the congregation. “It makes it easy for people like me, who want to be involved, to get involved.”
Godspeed, Fred and Renee.
