Executive committee and warden openings

[nancy hansen]

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

 

Wishing you all a very blessed Christmastide!  and of course joy and health in the New Year!

 

There are three positions on the Executive Committee that will be opening in the new year as well as an opportunity for a Jr. Warden.  So, before answering this call, consider,

 

In a Meditations for Vestry Members by Colleen McMahon there is a page written about the scripture "All things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine own have we given thee" 1 Chronicals 29:14

 

She writes that the best sermon she had heard was about the Apostles; the people who were asked to follow an itinerant preacher Jesus did not lack for other things to do.  Peter and Andrew and the Zebedee brothers were men of means, with their own boats and nets.  James and John apparently had a father that need to be looked after and hired hands to who were paid to work the boats and look out for dad.  There was a sickly mother-in-law which indicates a wife and quite possibly children.  Matthew was a public official, a tax collector and therefore responsible to the state.

Simon and perhaps Judas were involved in local politics.  In other words, most of the people Jesus called into a life of ministry had built careers and taken on other responsibilities.  She goes on to say, "its shocking that they did not respond to Jesus' invitation by saying, Look, I'd really like to follow you, but I'm much too busy right now.  Maybe some other time, OK?"  But they didn't.  They followed him, just as he asked.  They found the time.

When you answer yes to the congregations' call to Executive Committee, you agree to give back to God some of what God has so generouly given to you.

The strange part is that the abundance you are being asked to provide for the building of God's house in our community is time - the time to attend meetings and give advice over email or phone and be responsible for part of the parish's life.   Time is a gift from God like everything else.  Remember that God operates out of a model of abundance - not scarcity - and never gives less than generously.  Therefore, if you are truly called to Executive Committee ministry, the time to  do the job wil be given to you, even if it doesn't seem so when you look at your calendar.

That seems to be the way it worked with the Twelve.  They spent plenty of time on the road in service of their Lord, but they also found time to keep their boats and equipment in working order.  If they hadn't there would not have been unproductive fishing trips that ended with net-breaking catches.

 

If y ou say yes, God will give you the time - so you can give it back!

 

Please contact Linda or me.

My cell number" 862 268 6536

Linda's cell number 973 903 9110

 

Thank you and God bless you into the new year!

 

Nancy