Dear Friends:
I hope you have had a great week so far. I know it is hot. I also know that in spite of the heat, we continue to have a number of really good things happening. Let me share just a few of a whole menu of items I’m thankful for and excited about.
Bluegrass Sunday
I want to thank Terry Lee again for the great fun and really meaningful music that we got to share in our Sanctuary Service this past Sunday. I so enjoy the honor of getting to briefly join her terrific band, Facing South, each year on this fun Sunday. And this year was no exception. If you were not able to be with us in person, be sure to see the livestream video. Thanks so much Terry and Facing South!
Passport Kids a Great Success
We are so thankful to welcome our children back home following a great several days at CBF Passport Kids at Camp Rock Eagle. Special thanks to Shelley, Sana and Amy Medford for their terrific help and good leadership as our chaperones. It was so special to get to welcome them back as the van came under our FBCD portico. We could see immediately the evident enthusiasm of their eventful week from their big smiles and high energy!
Children’s Ministry Area Renovations on the Way
We are excited to announce that very soon, thanks to the recent approval of our Building and Grounds Committee, good and long overdue work will begin in our Children’s Ministry area in Education Building. You will be hearing and seeing more details soon, but know for now know that very helpful and important renovations are imminent. These will really enhance the space for learning and vital ministry. Big thanks to Shelley for her leadership in moving us forward. We can be assured that the changes happening over the next few months will yield very positive benefits.
Welcome Sarah Lewis, Pastor for Community Engagement and Connections: We are very thankful this week to be welcoming Sarah Lewis to our staff. She will be serving as our part time (15 hour per week) Pastor for Community Engagement and Connections.
As our pastoral replacement for Shelley’s previous position, she will also be adding the much needed “connection” element to this role. Facilitating a welcoming atmosphere in every one of our community events, making and growing connectedness between our many parents, children and adults attending events on our property, and “marketing” who we are and why we are … this and much more will be our growing efforts with Sarah’s role over the coming weeks and months.
We will be welcoming her “gently” this Sunday and then with a more clear and full welcome on July 27th. In the meantime, I look forward to introducing her, welcoming her and working with her do the good and important work of connecting us in our church, our church in our community and our church and community to each other!
Welcome Sarah!
Youth Sunday and the upcoming Youth Beach Retreat: I’m also pleased to give thanks for an excellent Youth Sunday on June 29th. Reports about their successful Passport Camp experience with 18 youth was so good to hear about. But for me, the more exciting and impressive aspect of that Sunday was the poise, maturity, and wise faith we heard expressed from the pulpit by several of our youth that day. That was in addition to a very moving baptism of another youth, sixteen year old Paula Sandoval. Zach deserves much credit for his love, nurture and leadership of this fine and growing group of kids.
Also please remember them, Zach and our other chaperones as they all prepare for the Youth Beach Retreat the weekend of July 25th. We currently have a really good group going and fully expect another excellent experience.
And thanks so much to all of you for your love, support, generosity and ongoing enthusiasm for the work and ministry of this church.
Love,
David
David Jordan
Senior Pastor