May 2009

Just in case you thought things weren’t exciting and busy enough around here! Here’s what’s new!

At the April Board meeting, the Personnel Committee unanimously recommended the Rev. Leif Lind as the successful candidate for Associate Minister. The Board then voted unanimously to present Leif to the congregation. Many of you probably already know Leif, but you’ll have a chance to hear him preach on May 24th followed by a “Meet and Greet” after the service. This will give you an opportunity to have further discussion, ask questions, and get to know him at a deeper level. On Sunday, June 7, we'll hold a congregational meeting immediately after worship to discuss and vote on Leif's call to RUCC. I hope you will keep Leif, the church and this process in your prayers.

On Saturday, May 16th, I’d like to personally invite everyone to join in VisionDay. We’ve had some wonderful conversations lately about where we would like to put our energies in the next few years. In addition, a questionnaire is being circulated to gather input. Individuals have conversed and the Board has had discussions. VisionDay will be an opportunity to bring everything together. Our facilitator, Rev. Ben Bohren is a talented leader and I know the day will invigorate us and bring our hearts and minds together in a shared vision.

Wonderful plans are coming together for the Summer Series. One of the shared passions of RUCC is the recognition and appreciation of diversity. Yet we, like all human beings, struggle with frailties like prejudice, pre-judgment, lack of understanding and many other blockades to God’s extravagant grace. The Summer Series this year will be focusing on some of the many areas we use to categorize people: Race, sexual orientation, age, physical appearance, economic status, etc. Together we’ll explore how we can recognize and control our tendency to fall into the trap of believing that other people are our picture of who they are.

I hope you will find ways to get involved in these and the many other opportunities that abound. This congregation is growing just as individuals are growing within it. Together, we will find the juncture between opportunity, passion, and need. And there in the midst, we will feel the holy presence of God.

With optimism and hope,
Loring Fiske-Phillips