…Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known.”
~ 1 Corinthians 13:12
Sunnyside is being called to a bold and committed journey of discipleship; engaging in service, united in God’s purpose.
-Sunnyside UMC Vision Statement: adapted March 2010
By the time you have this newsletter in hand Cara and I will have been with you all for one full year, and in case you haven’t heard yet we’re sticking around! It is amazing just how much can be packed into a church year. We have been through a season of stewardship, Advent/Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, two new membership classes and now we are full swing back into summer. As I did a quick review of my past newsletters I remember asking in an early article, “How is it with your soul?” I think this time tested Wesleyan question is a good question to ask ourselves once again after a full year together. So pause, right now and ask yourself, “How is it with my soul?”
My soul is well; it’s a bit restless, but otherwise well. It is restless because there is much to be done and God is calling Sunnyside on the way to an exciting journey together. In this first year review I want to give you an update on the work of your Administrative Council. As you should recall in January the council developed a new vision statement for the congregation. You all affirmed this statement then in March. In the meanwhile, the council has been working hard every month to development a plan for ministry; a set of goals to be met within five years, developed in response to the question “Who is God calling us to be by 2015?”
The process has been grueling at times, and great fun at others. We have developed goals around congregational discipleship and spiritual growth, music programs and children’s ministries, mission and outreach programs, and financial stewardship. We will continue to do this work, and bring it to completion in the fall and then share our work with the larger congregation seeking the affirmation of the entire membership.
With all that has been done in this first year there is one thing of which I am most excited. Cara and I have committed to sitting down for some one on one time with every person in leadership at Sunnyside. This means, anyone who sits on the council, works with a committee, prepares meals for a luncheon, brings cookies to church, serves in the food pantry, etc, etc… Basically, if you do anything beyond worship on Sunday morning, you are a leader. Meaning that, by late fall we hope to sit down individually with each and every one of you. One of the many gifts of a smaller congregation is this ability for all persons to know one another, and likewise to be fully known. We have already met with nearly everyone on the Ad. Council and we have been blessed by this time well spent.
As we meet we hope to learn three primary things about you: How would you describe your relationship with God? How have you served in ministry and how do you feel God calling you to serve in ministry? And finally, who do you turn to for support in this Sunnyside family? We all have a unique calling in ministry, and a role to play on the journey together. As your pastor and deacon it is our hope to know you, and therefore have the ability to fully encourage and support you on this journey together.
It is with great joy that I enter into this second year of ministry with you. As we journey together may we know and love one another fully, as we are fully known and loved.