July 14, 2022
2-Week Newsletter
Dear Friends…wherever you are!

Actually, we have better church attendance than I anticipated considering how many of you travel or perch elsewhere during the summer months. Worship here is lovely and made even more so by the many gracious faces gathered together in the Spirit of Christ. Which is to say it is a joy to serve you as your Interim-Pastor in worship and in ministry.

Since I brought up the “interim” thing, now is a good time to announce that on July 31st, immediately after the 10:00 o’clock worship, you will meet as a congregation to hear the report from the hard-working Nominating Committee where they will formally present their slate of members chosen to serve on the Pastor’s Nominating Committee. If you haven’t heard who yet, I can assure you it is a wonderful representation of this good church. Your job at the meeting is to vote to formalize their call so they can get started "decently and in good order."

  1. As they start they will need several things from you, the congregation. The first is prayer. No duh. Prayer for the Spirit to bring them together in deep community as one body. Prayer for them to be open to discernment. Prayer for God to lead them to the “right” person, or the “right” person to them.
  2. Respect their confidentiality. They really can’t share anything in order to be fair to the process so don’t ask for any details. Just ask if there is anything you can do for them.
  3. Patience. Remember it took 40 years in the Bible for anything like this to happen. Don’t worry, it won’t take them that long - probably more like one year (give or take.) Also, patience with me as I struggle over names and job responsibilities, which would probably take me 40 years to get right. 

Finally, thank you for your notes and well wishes during my little surgical thing. I’m doing great and hope to be given the go-ahead in a week or so to play golf, fish, and do some more chores when I’m off. Fun, Fun, Fun! 

Gratefully,
Rev. Dr. Steve Goyer
Interim Pastor
Happenings & Events
Christian Education
Sunday Worship
July 10, 2022
Musical Notes
Summer is vacation time for many of us. Do you find a church when you are out of town? If you do, please share a bulletin with me. They often contain many new ideas about worship and programming for music and other activities. Just leave it on my music stand in the chancel or in my box in the office area.

Speaking of being gone, taking some time to settle my parents’ estate has been fruitful in many ways. It is by no means finished and we have only just started the process. Many of you have gone through this with your families and you know the task. I am finding a calm reassurance of the faith and strength of both my parents as I sort through papers, box up treasures for family members, and give away things that someone else could use. A lifetime of honest, generous living has produced a legacy that we are so grateful to be a part of. My brothers and I spoke at Mom’s service and I sang. It was not easy, but I was surprised by the strength we all had at the moment. She will really be missed. A matriarch is that way. Treasure your family and spend time with them. The same goes with your church family. We know that you will be back to worship with us soon, so have safe travels while you are seeing the world.

I will sing “A Simple Song” from the Mass by Leonard Bernstein on Sunday. Harlan (my intrepid husband for those of you not aware) will play the guitar with me and Amy will accompany on piano. The Mass was commissioned by Jackie Kennedy in 1972 for the opening of the Kennedy Center for the Arts in Washington, DC.

Rev. Steve Goyer and I along with Harlan will do a version of the morning service at Marsh’s Edge at 4:30 pm.

On the 24th of July, there will be a Handbell Ensemble playing for worship. These ringers wanted to keep ringing through the summer because it’s fun and they wanted to keep their skills up. Susan Baltzell, Catherine Campbell, Iris Ellis, Nan Fuller, Pam Hamilton, and Anne Marie Stirewalt will be the ringers in this ensemble. They will be playing an arrangement of This is My Father’s World with piano accompaniment by Jason Krug. Thanks in advance to this hard-working group and their director, Suzanne Morrison.

In the meantime, consider seriously joining the chancel choir or chancel ringers or chancel ensemble when they all start back up in August. Choirs or music groups for all ages should begin around the time school starts back. Stayed tuned for more information in the bulletin or newsletter. Or – if you really want to know, just ask! We are all available to answer questions.

Again, safe travels this summer! See you soon.
 
Love & gratitude,  
Rhonda
The Weeks Ahead
Sunday, July 17
All Day BRIDGE Missions Group - Youth Suite
9:00 am Combined Sunday School - Upper Room
10:00 am Traditional Worship - Sanctuary

Monday, July 18
All Day BRIDGE Missions Group - Youth Suite
9:00 am Worship & Art Camp - Various Locations
4:00 pm Congregational Care Planning - Upper Room                          
6:30 pm Al-Anon Meeting - John Law

Tuesday, July 19
All Day BRIDGE Missions Group - Youth Suite
9:00 am Worship & Art Camp - Various Locations
9:30 am Staff Meeting - Upper Room
1:00 pm Who Dealt Bridge Club - Parlor

Wednesday, July 20
All Day BRIDGE Missions Group - Youth Suite
9:00 am Worship & Art Camp - Various Locations
1:30 pm  Hands and Heart Quilting Ministry - Music Attic
6:00 pm Bingo Night! - Social Hall

Thursday, July 21
All Day BRIDGE Missions Group - Youth Suite
9:00 am Worship & Art Camp - Various Locations

Friday, July 22
All Day BRIDGE Missions Group - Youth Suite
9:00 am Worship & Art Camp - Various Locations

Sunday, July 24
All Day BRIDGE Missions Group - Youth Suite
9:00 am Combined Sunday School - Upper Room
10:00 am Traditional Worship - Sanctuary

Monday, July 25
All Day BRIDGE Missions Group - Youth Suite
6:30 pm Al-Anon Meeting - John Law

TuesdayJuly 26
All Day BRIDGE Missions Group - Youth Suite
9:30 am Staff Meeting - Upper Room
1:00 pm Who Dealt Bridge Club - Parlor

Wednesday, July 27
All Day BRIDGE Missions Group - Youth Suite
6:00 pm Bingo Night! - Social Hall

Thursday, July 28
All Day BRIDGE Missions Group - Youth Suite

Friday, July 29
All Day BRIDGE Missions Group - Youth Suite
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