Reminiscent of the Poltergeist movie’s tagline - “THEY’RE BACK” - so am I! My three-month sabbatical officially ended on March 13, and I preached my return sermon on March 19th – and as Kahlen Aymes writes: You're stuck with me now; the good, bad and the ugly.” I, of course, am praying mostly for ‘the good’. Seriously, I am literally tickled pink to be back!
While away I was able to rest, read, and assist OUR Place in the creation of a Community Engagement Committee that has begun the process of more effective engagement with the wider community as it continues to service the homeless women and families of the Reno/Sparks area.
I missed you all so very much and want to thank all of you for stepping out and stepping up to cover worship, youth groups and all the business that needed to be done during my absence! You may have surprised yourself in what you were able to accomplish beautifully without my presence. I, on the other hand, never doubted y’all - I will always be your biggest cheerleader!
I want to thank the deacons for seamlessly covering Sunday worship services – even amidst some unexpected snafus - in particular Jim Smith who went way beyond his call of duty as chairperson of this committee. I want to thank the guest preachers who afforded us the gift of different voices and different perspectives than mine for three months. I thank Mary Morton who single-handedly covered the middle school youth fellowship group, and Chai Cook and Saralinda Kiser who covered the senior high youth fellowship group.
I also want to thank the Church Council and Rick Odynski for spearheading the rezoning of our CE building and flawlessly addressing all the business of our church; as well as the Fellowship & Growth, Missions, Stewardship, Building & Grounds, and Christian Education Committees for leading the church in creative opportunities for outreach, fellowship, and education!
Lastly – thank you Dawn Brisbane, office administrator extraordinaire, who kept all the T’s crossed and the I’s dotted for this crazy wonderfulness that is FCCReno!
Pastor: Rev. Dr. Kate Lambertson