Pastor's Corner
February 2006
Dear Church Family,
Those of you old enough can remember back to “The Mickey Mouse Club” that ran on TV many years ago. That show would close each program with a song that began with the words, “Now it’s time to say goodbye to all our company…”. Of course it wasn’t a “total” goodbye because you would tune in the following week and you would see everyone again! Well as I write this month we have two “goodbyes” to say that are not “total” (as we will see these folks around church) but nonetheless are “goodbyes” in terms of their work at the church.
The first “goodbye” is to our long-time secretary Lana Walters. Lana has faithfully served our church family for some 7 1/2 years as our church secretary. Through changing circumstances and needs in her life and changing circumstances and needs in our church, Lana has felt led of the Lord to leave the position of church secretary as of February 17th. You can imagine how sad I am to lose such a winsome and wonderful secretary and friend! I have only had 2 secretaries in my almost 18 years here and Lana has been absolutely tremendous! Her sweet spirit and gracious way of working with all of us on staff and in the congregation will be sorely missed! God bless you Lana and thank you on behalf of all of us for serving our Lord by so faithfully serving us! We will miss you!
The other “good bye” is to Teresa Dudley who has served as our general church treasurer for many years. She has done an outstanding job of paying our church bills, handling payroll and keeping us current in our cash flow needs. Thank you Teresa for taking on for so many years what is such a “behind the scenes” and at times “thankless” job! Your sweet spirit, efficient work and gentle reminders about receipts will be missed! Thank you for doing such a great job for the Lord in serving all of us!
So we say “goodbye” but it is not “total” as these dear servants of the Lord remain with us as a congregation. We are very glad that Alan Melby has graciously stepped-in as our new general treasurer. As far as the church secretary position, please pray for myself and the elders as we seek to fill this vital position in our church’s ministry!
I am so thankful that as people transition and changes come in our church ministry, that the Lord knows what He is doing! As the Lord causes the increase in the church He also raises up those to serve His church. I am grateful to these two servants of the Lord who say “goodbye” to these particular ministries but I am also thankful to all who serve Him in the ministries here at Ustick! God bless you all!
Serving with you,
P.S. We rejoice that over 65 men from our church are attending the Men’s Retreat this weekend! What a delight to know that God is raising up men as leaders in their homes and in His church!
