One Year Ago...

One year ago the 16^th of February we came to town for our first interview with the PNC (Pastor Nominating Committee).  Wow.  In some ways it feels like a lot longer ago, and in other ways it feels like the time has flown by.

Elisabeth and I feel very at home with all of you and have a strong sense that God called us to be here.  We think back to that first meeting in what is now my office, dinner at a restaurant that is now closed, and then a tour of the area with Don Hopper who is now my friend.  We drove from here up to Vermont to retrieve a car and then drove home. We chatted the whole way about the possibilities.  Within a few weeks the PNC had made its decision and the rest is history.  We had a very nice "neutral pulpit" weekend in March and a great "candidate weekend" in April.  Then you fixed up the manse for us to move into and we arrived with our 80-foot truck in June.  The rummage sale was in full swing that week and then our first Sunday was 'Worship in the Park,' where I shared a story-time sermon.  We were off to a good start, and it has gotten better each week since, with the pinnacle probably being Christmas Eve services with over 400 worshipers in the two services.

Thanks again for your confidence in me (and Elisabeth—we are a team).  You have supported my leadership, had patience with the transition and invited us into your lives and homes.

I’m looking forward to Lent, Easter, and Pentecost to complete the church-year cycle with you. Then we can look forward to our second annual Rummage Sale, Worship in the Park, Fall Family Festival, Christmas Pageant and...

So many ways to "see you in church."

Pastor Dale