One of the best parts of being a church professional is working with new people on a regular basis. I love partnering with new members, visitors, elders, and deacons as they bring unique energy and perspective to ministry. (If you haven't yet, please watch the ordination of elders and deacons during last week's service.) I also love to work with people new to our staff, as they bring fresh insight to our church. And so, I am very excited to work with Cherese Scarbor who has joined us this week as our new Church Administrator. Cherese brings a level of experience and perspective that will really benefit Ark and Dove. She is also very personable and a joy to be around. (She also responded well to my April Fools joke.) Please drop by or call the church to welcome Cherese! Additionally, be sure to thank Wendy Wellington who served as interim. Wendy is so dedicated to Ark and Dove and has helped us thrive during difficult times.

It is also a joy of church life to work with familiar friends in new ways. I am so pleased that Rebecca is joining us full-time as Music Director. Rebecca was one of the first people I met at Ark and Dove, when I was still discerning God's call to be pastor here. She influenced my decision. Not only is Rebecca one of my favorite vocalists, but she is also an incredible music leader. We have not nearly seen the extent of her talent and expertise. More so, Rebecca is an exceedingly warm and generous person. She is eager to help people in need--even if you need to redesign your living room. (She is a skilled home decorator.) Even if you do not participate in music leadership at Ark and Dove, I encourage you to get to know Rebecca. You will be better for it.

Peace,

PRAYERS OF HEALING AND SUPPORT for Anna Scofield; Christina Nelson’s Mother, Cindy, recovering from surgery; Debbie Saylor's Uncle Wayne; Danny Barrier; Michelle Schoonmaker's aunt and friend of Ylonda Fauntleroy, Floretta Watkins-Barbee, and Michelle's great aunt and Ylonda's aunt, Bernice Taylor; Debbie Bell; the people of Ukraine; Lou Kareha's relatives Aubriella and Michael Steele, B. Wicker, sister-in-law's brother, James Karanasky, cousin, Thomas Kochis, and friend, Nando Smacci; Henry Hoffman; Jackie Lucus; Michelle Schoonmaker; Cindi Schafer; Mike and Denise Bartgis' son-in-law; Kelly Burnett; Jon Nelson's mother, Joanne Nelson; Louise Sharrocks; Kathy Miller's brother-in-law, Jeff Miller, and sister, Beth Krauth; Lourdes Cordero's sister, Diane Cordero, brother Jose, granddaughter, and friends, Fred and Arelene Jones; Deb Saylor's niece, Courtney Jaberi, and sister Christine; Alvin Dennis; Laura Willoughby's father, Norman; Diane Johnson's friend, Tom; Kelly Burnett's nephew, Justin; Christy Hipchen’s nephew and grandmother, Ann Chubon; the Sealing Family; Karen Arnold's brother, Tim; Josh Arnold; the family of Mike Esparza; a sister struggling with mental illness; Debbie Arey; Steve Debus' father, Bill Debus; Paul Doughty's mother, Ruth Doughty; James Franklin's sister-in-law, Kelli Franklin; Amy Tardiff’s Aunt Fran; Richard and Carol Jasper; Laura Batten-Carbaugh; Nicole Chidlow's son, Jai; Michelle Schoonmaker's friend's and their children, Kai S., Liam F., and Ezra R.; Frank Stillwell; Mary Caolo; David Johns; Carrie Dodson's friend Pam; Angela Goska; Belinda Edwards; Karen Stokes; Betty Small; a friend of Bob Fuller; the Unger family; Debbie and Bruce Arey's niece, Sarah, and daughter, Allison, and Debbie’s sister, Denise; Calvin Latham; Brianna Lapp; Ann Hirschy's relative Isaiah, aunt Cindy, and brother; Diane Makar; Charlotte Davie; Adell Gaurin; Dotty Kaufman and her daughter-in-law, Carol, granddaughter, Sarah, and grandson Nathan; Carol Saylor; Ray Bussey's mother, Doris; Liz Olson; Margaret Floyd; Vaughn Brown; Patty and Steve Plander; Arlyce Lohr; Krista Klohr; Dick Paronto; Cheryl Walcutt’s sister Judy and mother; Amy Hagemann’s sister, Susan Pratt; Mary Benson’s sister; Amy Carskadon Lifsey’s father-in-law, Bill Lifsey Sr.; Karen Dodson’s cousin, Miles, and Miles’ family; Helen Wilkens' mother, Jane Reinert; Christina Nelson’s grandmother, Patricia Dole; Judy Cooper’s daughter, Jessica Quigley; a member of the Tardiff family; Lewis Shorter and Lewis Shorter’s niece, Jennifer Schwandt-Gayle; Dot Forloine’s granddaughter Melisa Tucker Saatthoff, and her great-grandson Luke; Linda Taylor’s mother, Izola; Amy Goldberg’s grandmother, Ruth Cooper; Christy Yeager’s mother, Linda Jordan; Linda Jordan’s niece, Bonnie; Diane Johnson's Uncle Ed, Aunt Janet, and cousin Richard; Shelley Franklin's father; Laurie Barrow’s nephew, Gunther Kurtz; Sabonna Keeney’s mother; Bernabe and Griselda Solano, and Griselda's sister, Irma; Laura Doughty’s brother-in-law, Carl Hahn; Cheryl and Doug Walcutt’s grandchild, Gray Adacutt; Erika Sealing's grandmother, Margaret Schade; and Rob Yeager’s friends, Greta Daughtrey and Peter Brown.