PASTOR'S MESSAGE: August 2010
40 Days of Prayerful Preparation for the Year to Come…
Dear Calvary…Can you believe that in just a few short weeks from now I will be celebrating my 1st anniversary as Calvary’s pastor?
It’s true. I moved into the parsonage on August 29th 2009 and officially began serving on September 1st. So we are approaching what
I believe is an important milestone in our faith-life together.
Therefore, I’d like to take this opportunity to pause and tell you that from my point of view our first year together has been
exceptionally positive. I have really enjoyed getting to know you and discovering the unique rhythms and characteristics of this
delightful community of faith. I feel truly blessed to be here among you. Thank you for making this so.
And as you look back, you may recall that in my earliest days among you, I told you that I planned to spend the first year deliberately
listening and learning; just being together with you, without officially launching any major programs or projects, and without making
any really significant changes. My hope for this year was that you would come to feel comfortable with the kind of leadership I offer;
that you would see that my objectives as your pastor are to love the LORD, to love each of you, and to serve together with you to the
best of my ability. My prayer for this past year has been that we would establish a foundation of trust and caring between us, and that
it would be upon this foundation that future ministry at Calvary would be built.
So, now that I am preparing to begin my second year as Calvary’s pastor, I believe it’s time to “take our relationship to the next level.”
It is now time for us to begin formulating a clear and workable vision -- not just for this coming year, but for the long range future of
Calvary UMC.
It is true that we have many things to be thankful for and to be proud of as a church, but there is no question that we also have some
important challenges before us. If we want to continue to build on our 50+ years of being a vital, relational, multi-generational
congregation with a strong commitment to worship & music, spiritual growth, developing Christian leaders, and service our community
and our world, then it’s time now for us to begin actively and constructively addressing how we will promote these missions and
ministries in the next 50+ years.
And the place we begin this process is on our knees (so to speak) in prayer for God’s wisdom and guidance for our future. Therefore,
I am officially inviting each of you to join with me in spending the next 40 days (August 3rd through September 12th) specifically
praying for God’s guidance for the people and future of West Allis Calvary UMC. If you would agree to spend at least 10 minutes a
day just opening your heart and mind to God’s presence with the words “Holy Spirit guide our Church,” on your lips, I truly believe that
when we come together to discuss our future, we will have surprising insights and inspirations.
In addition if you are interested in a more face-to-face experience, I invite you to join me on Saturday mornings (8/8 – 9/11) here at
the church from 11:30 until Noon for a time of individual and group prayer.
The first year was really good, but the second is going to be even better, I just know it!
Happy Anniversary!
Pr. Rachel
