He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
He is the head of the body, the church.
He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent.
For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell,
and through him to reconcile all things for him,
making peace by the blood of his cross (through him), whether those on earth or those in heaven.
~ Colossians 1:17-20
Dear Friends,
Coming up on one year of ministry with you all at Wollaston Congregational Church, I address you as “Dear Friends” truly, sincerely. You have invited me into your faithful work and shared with me your courageous spirit. Through our ministry together you have become to me, dear friends.
On a Saturday in July I attended the funeral of a friend’s father in the morning and a friend’s baby shower in the afternoon. As I walked through the events of this one day, experiencing the embrace of a grieving friend and the eager smile of an expectant mother, I was assured that the God of all endings must also be the God of new beginnings. Death is God’s way of clearing out the old to make way for the new.
In many ways, this summer has been one of endings and beginnings for our congregation; endings that have cleared out the old to make way for the new. The summer, I have always thought, is time set aside for transition. Sunday School ended on Children’s Sunday in June, which was the very same day that Rev. MaryLou began her sabbatical.
I began as your Sabbatical Pastor, taking a hiatus from my role as Pastoral Resident for Turnaround Ministry. Peter Johnston’s responsibilities for caring for the church building have ended as he looks toward beginning seminary and we have welcomed a new building supervisor to our staff, Brendon Collins.
Over these past three months, our Stewards have continued to meet on a regular basis and have taken new and spirited initiative to make improvements in the areas of the building, church finances, communication, and policies and procedures of church operations.
This month, and the coming year, promises to be filled with exciting new beginnings for our congregation. On our September 12th Rally Day worship service, we will be celebrating the return of our children to Sunday School and on the evening of Friday, September 17th, we will gather for our annual block party on Winthrop Ave., the first Family Fun event of the year. September 19th we will hear Rev. MaryLou break open the Word as we joyfully welcome her back from sabbatical. I hope you’ll join us as we reconnect after the summer months of transition (and warm, beach weather!).
Faithfully,
Leanne
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