Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Ash Wednesday and a New Pastor


Lent marks the 40 weekdays (excluding Sundays) from Ash Wednesday to Easter Eve and is a season of solidarity with Christ’s suffering.  It is a time of sacrifice, sensitivity to the suffering of others, and growth in faithfulness to God.  We will begin Lent like millions of Christians around the world, receiving the mark of the cross on our foreheads with ashes burned from last year’s Palm Sunday branches.  We hope to see you at our Ash Wednesday Service at 7:00.  Choir rehearsal will follow at 7:45.
On the first Sunday of Lent, we will read the story of Jesus’ forty-day fast and resistance to temptation from Matthew 4.  Music will take a reflective, minor tone.

Don’t forget the Barbershop Chorus Concert this Saturday evening at 7:00.
And now for the latest news:  Pending approval of Peace River Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry, our friend Rev. Neil MacQueen will be our new Parish Associate for Ministry to Youth, Young Adults, and Families.  Ordained in 1985, Neil brings eighteen years of pastoral experience, most of it focused on ministry to children, youth, and families.  A person of creativity and vision, he founded the Workshop Rotation Model of Christian Education and a Christian education software company, both of which still keep him busy part-time. The Search Team and Session agreed that Neil is the right person for our part-time position.  Read below words from Neil’s resume:

Children and Youth Ministry has been God's call to me since I was in High School. I love spending time with young people, and enjoy being part of their personal and spiritual journey. I love working with youth leaders, teachers, and parents too, -because it does take a village. I believe a vision for youth and children's ministry is inseparable from a ministry to parents and families, and hope you do too. Such ministry should be relational, relaxed, relevant, real, ...and fun. I hope those qualities describe me as well.
Hope to see you on Wednesday and Sunday!

Lenten peace,
Elizabeth

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