VBS and Retirement

It is so wonderful to be back at Faith after the incredible experience of being with youth last week at Camp Egan. I know many of you were like me without power from the storms. I have been so impressed with the way that you have responded by housing friends and family, taking care of your neighbors and checking on each other. I also know many of you still have no power but have been showing up to volunteer for VBS this week. You constantly amaze me and I am so blessed to be your pastor. We have been deeply immersed in Vacation Bible School and so many of the children are with us as guests for the first time. (Both camp and VBS are said to be equal to an entire year’s worth of Sunday school education.) This Sunday, at the 11:00 Service, the children will be singing a song for the congregation. We expect to have several guests and first time attenders and I know that you will be sure to help them find their way.

In the midst of all this joy and busyness, we want to celebrate our Financial Secretary Lori Burns. Lori and I figured that she is just a few months shy of having worked here for twenty years. Lori keeps track of all our finances, runs our reports and processes our financial transactions. She also does our reporting to the government. Lori’s husband retired last year and she has decided to join him for some fun in retirement. She will be tapering off her hours through the end of August. Lori is such a joy to work with and no matter how stressful the situation, she has a smile. This is a rare gift. She also is one of the funniest people I know and I will miss her deeply when she retires. On Sunday July 30th, we will be honoring her in the Great Hall with a reception. You will be invited to write her a card or offer her a gift on the money trees. Let us give thanks that is appropriate for the loyalty and hard work that she has given us. If you or someone you know is interested in joining our staff in this role, go to JOBS on our website for information. Our goal is to hire by July 15th at the very latest. I know God has a plan for us in this and I am waiting to see it revealed in our journey together.

Yesterday we said goodbye to Sally Leininger. If you didn’t know Sally, you really missed out. She was a lovely person with a smile and a calm spirit. Please pray for Pete and their children in this time of celebration and grief.

Grace abounds!