|
Happy New Year, First Presbyterian! I am excited about so many things planned for the year ahead in our ministry together. Your Officers are preparing to embark on a season of discernment to consider where God might be leading us in the coming years; the search for a new associate pastor is in full swing with the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee meeting weekly; Dr. Lewis Galloway will be rejoining us next week as our Interim Associate Pastor for Congregational Care; and we have just completed one of our most successful stewardship efforts in recent memory with 435 pledges totaling over $2.7 million. And that list only begins to scratch the surface – wow!
Below you will find details about many other opportunities that are right in front of us. I especially want to draw your attention to an upcoming opportunity to hear and have a conversation with author Jeffrey Blount. I had an opportunity to be a part of a small group of faith/community leaders who met with Jeffrey during an earlier visit he made to Spartanburg last year. He is a brilliant, thoughtful, and compelling person whose work intersects both faith and society. Interestingly, Jeffrey’s brother is Dr. Brian Blount who only recently retired from his role as the President of Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA. Be sure to RSVP soon if you would like to join us for this special event after church on Sunday, January 21. Details below.
Lastly, this Sunday we will ordain and install new Deacons and Elders at the 11:00am Traditional Service. We give thanks to God for these women and men who are saying “yes” to their baptismal calls as they agree to serve as leaders of the ministry happening here at First Presbyterian. Please join me in praying for all the servant leaders – past and present – of our congregation. We are immensely blessed to have so many individuals willing and eager to be the hands and feet of Christ in our midst.
Peace,
| 
