Sunday Service May 7, 2006

Pastor Fred preaches on 'Good Shepherd Sunday' and Susan Nolte does a good job on the children's sermon with a core thought that shepherd is a noun and a verb and that Jesus bridges those meanings just as Jesus can be both sheep and shepherd.

There was special music this morning. Annie Miles, Vaune Kemp and Kim Fairbanks-Lee performed Mummer's Dance. Their hamonies were pure and revelatory. The song took on another dimension of meaning for many of us yesterday morning.

Congregational Meeting after Services

There is so much to say about Paul Stromberg, our Congregation President, his wife Debi and the Creator Council who are now: Teresa Berry, David Biggam, John Brooks, Kelly Carlisle, Paul Haulbrook, Nita Hoops, Pat Isaac, Joel Mobley, and Susan Nolte.

Paul has already guided the congregation through many tough decision points. Early on there was debate on an opportunity to expand on the church building space with a barn. There were strong sentiments on each side. Paul kept the decision making process on an even keel and went out of his way to make sure all voices were heard and all the facts brought to bear as this was debated. In the end the vote was not to expand with the barn.

Another area where there has been congregational soul searching is in the steps to take in finding where we are called in our youth ministry. Here again the council is making sure everybody is informed on the process and is seeking input from those who are most involved. Debi has kept the activities and the organization of the youth intact while the decision is being made.

Here I come to a decision point in this blog. Rather than dwell on many details or work that could be recognized I will concentrate on what animates Creator; the strength and the gifts people in our our congregation are given to face the challenges.