Letter from Lindy Jan 31

Ah, Pilgrim. Sometimes our greatest hopes and best laid plans go sideways unexpectedly. Even with understanding and grace, we can still be disappointed. I am sad to share that Traci Hathway tendered her resignation Monday night, effective immediately. Accepting the position with us, Traci was stepping back into the workforce after many years’ absence, but quickly discovered that trying to live into the responsibilities of our Church Administrator re-triggered some debilitating health issues. Although we tried to adapt, adjust, and make space for her care and wellness, she concluded that it was more than she was able to manage. I am sad that we could not find a way to make her addition to our team work as she was a positive presence. I pray with stepping away, Traci recovers balance and equilibrium.

So we are back in that in-between space of making due as we seek anew. For the interim, we have bases covered, but I am sure some things might fall through the cracks as we juggle. We seek your grace and understanding while we continue to live in these COVID-weird and trying times. We are also assessing whether we need to adapt and adjust the hopes for the admin role given its part-time status. Any of us who have been doing church for a while recognize that true part-time ministry may be our aspiration, but often the ebb and flow of our reality has a way of making those hard boundaries permeable. So we will work to tighten and streamline to ensure the workload feels just.

Even with this unfortunate news, our vision for this year has been cast for your prayer, questions, consideration and hopefully affirmation on Sunday. Please join worship, if you are able, so that you can participate in our congregational meeting. Our worship will be in zoom meeting mode so as to create space for healthy conversation. As you review the documents sent under our moderator’s signature, please give a huge prayer of thanksgiving for our budget team who brought this vision into concrete numbers and action. They worked diligently under challenging circumstances, trying to make decisions amidst the landscape of the unknown. 2021 will again be a monthly work in progress as we continue to live under pandemic protocols, all the while moving toward the vaccine light at the end of this very long tunnel. When will we gather anew? When will we be church in rhythms and forms we cherish? Still unknown and will probably remain so for the foreseeable future. Our budget, through your financial support, will help guide our decision-making.

Looking forward to “seeing” you.

Epiphany Light,
Pastor Lindy