Our Associate Pastor Search Committee is moving ahead. They have narrowed the choice to two very attractive candidates. Both are very capable and I will be thrilled with either. It is hoped, the Associate Pastor will be on board this fall but it is difficult to predict with any certainty. So pray for discernment for the committee.

In the meantime, let me bring you up to date on our staffing situation in the interim.

First, Janice Kemp’s time with us ends at the end of August. Like a good security blanket, we have asked Janice several times to step in and help us out for a while and she has done so most capably. On behalf of this church, I thank Janice for her time with us. Janice, blessings upon you and thank you.

Michelle Dyar awaits a call to ministry. I am pleased that she has agreed to continue at least through October 2. This will be a great help as we start up the church year. Michelle, thank you for stretching your time with us a little.

We will have no Pastoral Associate in this hopefully brief time until the AP arrives. Fortunately, our congregation is very talented with lots of leadership and several people will be helping out.

Elizabeth Price has agreed to lead worship with me on most Sundays. I sometime refer to Elizabeth as my “Altar-ego” as she has filled in many times over the years and has always been well received by the congregation.

I will ask various people to help in the task of preparing scripts for our New Creation worship along with me. Anita Saunders has agreed already.

I will also call upon others to share in the leadership of New Creation worship.