Monday, April 24, 2023
I have to say I am excited. Call it an Easter high if you want to – that’s okay. I hope we all get high on Easter from time to time. My excitement, believe it or not, is about the upcoming session meeting. For a couple of reasons:
We have created a new way of doing session – we have reduced the number of session committees to five which is far more manageable. They are Finance, Property, Human Resources, Trustees and Operational Council / Governance. Only 5 committees will report at the session business meetings every other month. It gives us more time to deal with each area more effectively. The rest of the work done by session is now through ministry teams – worship, Christian education / family ministry, pastoral care, local and worldwide missions. These teams will meet individually with session once or twice a year on the alternate months. This way of governance, this way of making decisions, will have a positive effect on the life and work of our church and so I am excited. Stay tuned for more.
Session is considering entering into a year’s lease for use of space on the third floor (the nursery area) with Gizaagi’in Healing. Gizaagi’in is an Ojibway word meaning “I Love You”. We hope to build a strong relationship with this indigenous organization, helping small children and young people to know they are loved, and to experience a deep sense of belonging. This initiative is the brainchild of Sheena Merling, the indigenous leader who invited us to be part of the ‘Every Child Matters Crosswalk’ last summer. Sheena has been able to secure funding for this program. She is dedicated and committed to the task. I ask you to pray for the session and for Gizaagi’in in our continued deliberations.
I am also excited because I think we had a wonderful Lent, Holy Week, Good Friday and Easter series of services this year. People are responding, engagement is up – as evidenced by the 200 people who will be part of the Agnes Stock Weekend starting Friday, April 28. As a church we are listening intently to the needs in the community and we are responding. It feels good. It feels like what church needs to be doing, now more than ever. It feels like we are gaining a foothold and the future looks bright. A warm thank you to staff, to ministry leaders within the congregation and to the congregation as a whole. Personally, it feels like we are getting to know each other more and that feels right as well
Have a wonderful week
Marty