Happy Midweek GCC family. This email, and others to follow once a week, is my attempt to keep in contact with you, at times inspire you, at times inform you and generally speak to you in the role of pastor integrating the day-to-day things of life to our life of faith and our witness as Greenbelt Community Church UCC.
Because I have accepted your call to serve GCC once again as your Interim Pastor, this first installment is focused on that journey. Specifically, I’d like you to join me in thinking about the difference between “what can GCC do to grow and present a viable church to someone new?” and “who are we as a faith community? If we were a candle on our hill – what part of the Christian message of faith and practice would we illuminate?” There is a difference. One has us going from one thing to another trying to find this program or that which has some appeal. The other is much more focused on our identity as people of faith and the mission we have a passionate desire to fulfill.
It will also make a huge difference for the Search Committee. One approach needs a candidate that is adept at a great many things, a jack of all trades. The other approach will lead them to seek a candidate that shares your passion for your ministry. Common to each approach will be a candidate that shares your style of decision-making, administrative skills, and worship that feeds you for the mission work you feel is your calling.
GCC has been in transition for quite a while, exasperated by the dynamics of a global pandemic. I made the commitment to GCC leadership that I would make this journey with you. Things are different from the time we took this walk together nine years ago. As I said on Easter morning, “God’s not done with GCC yet” and I believe that. Let us take the time that is necessary to do the work of discovery – what does the GCC Candle look like now – how is God calling us to illumine our place in the world?
Grace and Peace
Rev. Clara
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