June, 2010
 

Minister’s Moment…

On June 13 we will be offering our thanks to Louise Jacono who has been Church Administrator here for more than 15 years. She has worked with 10 different ministers (counting Rev. Deb, associates and interns), 14 board chairs, 5 or 6 religious educators, depending on how you count them, 5 bookkeepers. . . and all of you. She has been at the center of the professionalization of the office here, as we moved from what is called a pastoral-sized to a program-sized congregation. Her calm demeanor and sensible judgment have allowed us to face change and development.

As spring began, Louise told me that she would give us only one more season of her worklife. The temptation to spend time and travel with her husband John, already retired, and to be more available to her gardens and books and four grandchildren had become too great. And so her last day with us will be June 15. Ever responsible, she gave us good notice, and her knowledge and duties are being turned over to others who will try to replace her.

This has not been a secret, and many of you have been giving Louise your best wishes for her retirement. But all of you, please plan to be here for our June 13 Service of Living Tradition so that we can let her know how much we appreciate her skill and her dedication. We will miss you, Louise!

I have been working with the Board, the Committee on Ministry, and others to process the material from the assessment. At this writing thoughts and plans are still in process, but please know that we are all working hard to be responsive to what we learned and responsible about changes. You will hear more soon.

I have just e-mailed off to Arman Pedro, the leader of the Doldol Congregation in the Philippines, the words we use for our annual Flower Festival Service. When we do that service on June 6, we will be able to imagine ourselves celebrating with people on the other side of the world! Please bring a flower with you for every member of the family when you come to services on June 6.

The theme for June is Sabbath. The resource list is shorter this month. I hope that you will simply receive this theme as an invitation to Sabbath rest.

Rev. Carol

Resources for the theme Sabbath

Genesis 1:1 – 2:3 The first of two creation stories in Hebrew scripture

The Sabbath: Its Meaning for Modern Man by Abraham Joshua Heschel

Keeping the Sabbath Wholly by Marva J. Dawn

The Cloister Walk by Kathleen Norris