Dear ones,
Lately, we've had multiple farewells to loved ones who have been a part of our community, including Rev. Chelsea McCutchin as our Minister of Education and Community Engagement. While we are excited for her in her new call to Trinity Church, with her departure, we find ourselves in another time of transition. There has been quite a bit of that over the last few years; more than enough to last us for a while. It is hard to say goodbye to people we've shared so much life with, and we need to make sure to honor feelings of grief and discomfort when changes happen.
The Associate Minister Search Committee will soon be starting their work. UCC is blessed with extraordinarily caring, capable, creative people; together, we will see each other through yet another big change and will prayerfully discern what's next for our congregation in terms of pastoral leadership. You will be updated all along the way. In the meantime, please do pray for the process; for wisdom and insight for the search committee; for patience and energy for the congregation as a whole; and for the person who will eventually be called to serve in the future.
Speaking of change, some potential denominational-wide changes will be voted on at the General Assembly; by the time this edition of the Caller goes out, the Assembly will have already voted on many business items, including GA-2343, Amendments to the Design of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). There are many proposed changes, including calling for the General Assembly to meet more often during a three-year cycle. Every third year, there will be a hybrid meeting, and in the other two years, the Assembly will meet in online-only gatherings. The work of the General Assembly will shift from primarily voting on resolutions to engaging in conversation and prayer more frequently. There are additional proposed changes including a smaller General Board which will be able to more adeptly receive missional priorities from congregational representatives who attend the online-only gatherings for dialogue and discernment. Visit disciples.org/covenant-project/ to learn more details about how this new vision will come to life as well as the reasoning behind the changes.
Change can be hard, and change can be good, and change can be both at the same time. Let's keep ourselves open to the ways the Spirit of God is inviting us to give thanks for what has been and to greet the possibilities before us.
Peace,
Megan