March 13th, 2007 at 1:32 pm (About Our Church, Events, General)
Despite very wintry weather our candidating weekend at The United Church was a huge success. Church members came out on Friday and Saturday to meet Pastoral candidate Rev. Kim Cran and her husband Bill. On Sunday Kim conducted worship service and delivered communion. The congregational vote after worship was unanimous to call Rev. Kim Cran to be our next Pastor.
Kim and Bill have returned to Scotland where she is in the process of disengaging from her ministry there. Because of her heavy responsibilities to the ongoing union of the two churches she Pastors, she will be unable to join us until June 1st.
Our Trustees are planning some clean-up activities at the Manse when the weather moderates. Session has finished the terms of call and Rev. Cran has accepted. Many questions and answers are flying between Warsaw and Aberdeenshire, Scotland to help prepare for Rev. Cran’s arrival in Warsaw. This is surely an exciting time in the life of our church as we look forward to the installation of this very talented Pastor as our next spiritual leader.
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March 13th, 2007 at 1:25 pm (About Our Church, Concerns and Celebrations, General, Pastor Notes)
Thoughts From Kim…
I have been trying to think of one word or phrase that best describes my experience of meeting you, the members and friends of the United Church of Warsaw. I am rarely at a loss for words, as my husband is quick to remind me! However, this time, I find it difficult to distil the experience into a single word or memory. Every encounter was special in its own right, culminating in our time together in worship on Sunday morning. Being called to be your Pastor was truly an honor – one I felt privileged to accept. I am looking forward to the work we will do together, to the glory of God.
Although we only had the weekend together, I felt as though we had met before, because I had met you through your Pastoral Nominating Committee. Never in my experience of ministry have I worked with a committee that brought such a compassionate, insightful “giftedness†to their work. You can be very proud of all that they did in representing you, the people of the United Church of Warsaw. As I got to know them, I also got to know you, and I learned about your joys and sorrows, and some of your hopes and dreams – and your fears. Meeting you during our weekend together helped to bring all of this into focus, and confirm what they had shared with me.
I am amazed at the breadth and depth of your ministry in Warsaw. Your creative use of your resources is inspiring – what a ministry you pursue! Your vision and bold willingness to reach out in love and compassion to those who are in need is the Gospel at work. Your desire to reach out to and include everyone in God’s family – not only your children and youth, but those who have reached the other end of life’s journey, and everyone in between – is a vision worth pursuing. All need to be welcomed and cared for by the Church, for God’s arms are open and extend to embrace all. Your music, your hospitality, all the many gifts of those who volunteer their time and talents to help with the ministry of the church – it is truly a treasure!
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me and tell me about yourselves – your joys and your sorrows. Thank you for making the time to participate in the activities of our weekend together. And for those of you who worked so hard to provide the hospitality for those opportunities – a very special word of thanks. We felt enveloped by your warmth and love, and truly welcomed into the United Church of Warsaw community.
The days will pass very quickly, and soon it will be the 1st of June. I look forward to joining you as your pastor, and pray that God will bless our time together. You will remain very much in my thoughts and prayers until we are reunited.
Perhaps there is a phrase that collects my feelings – I feel deeply grateful and humbled at the opportunity to join you in ministry – and know we will have a joyful time together!
With love and prayer,
Kim
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March 13th, 2007 at 1:22 pm (About Our Church, Concerns and Celebrations, Events, General, Missions)
Updates:
Candidating weekend was an obvious success in that Reverend Kim Cran was called to be the new pastor for the United Church of Warsaw. On Saturday, February 3, almost 100 members of our congregation dined in the Fellowship Hall with Reverend Cran and her husband Bill. Thank you to Bob Blake, Steve Meyer, Steve Perkins, Bev Putney, and Avis Wilcox who worked in the kitchen to prepare a delicious meal and to the many others who set-up, served, and cleaned-up.
Hearts for Honduras: $897 has been delivered to Honduras by the time you read this newsletter! What a generous offering to help the people in 10 mountainous villages!
Sunday, February 18th, we said thank you and good luck to our interim pastor, Reverend Jimmy Reader. During worship Ellen Chandler expressed our appreciation to Reverend Jimmy and presented him a monetary gift. Following worship, a Farewell Brunch, prepared by Bob Blake and Steve Perkins with the help of many others, was served to more than 100 members of the congregation. Once again we demonstrated how well the United Church of Warsaw works together. Thank you to everyone who helped!
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