United in Christ – Our Mission: To Serve
Presbyterian Church (USA) and United Church of Christ
28 Don't you know who made everything? Haven't you heard about him? The Lord is the God who lives forever. He created everything on earth. He won't become worn out or get tired. No one will ever know how great his understanding is. 29 He gives strength to those who are tired. He gives power to those who are weak. 30 Even young people become worn out and get tired. Even the best of them trip and fall. 31 But those who trust in the Lord will receive new strength. They will fly as high as eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not grow weak.
~ Isaiah 40:28-31 New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
It's hard to believe a month is upon us since I first arrived here at United Parish of Bowie as your Gap Minister. Thank you for your warm reception and the many ways you have helped me feel at home here at UPB.
One of the questions I am most frequently asked is "How is the drive?" I'm very thankful to tell you that so far it has been an easy drive. I arrive and leave during non-rush hour traffic, and so it usually takes less than 45 minutes to travel between my home and the church. It can take me at least that long to go to one of the major malls in Fairfax County. Yes, I have discovered I can get to your Macy's more quickly than I can in my own county.
As your Gap Minister, the plan is for me to be with you through the end of April. As your Board and I explore the interim pastor process, the following will occur:
1. At the next Board meeting, which will be held February 7 instead of Valentine's Day, Rev. Dick McFail - Stated Clerk of National Capital Presbytery and Rev. Nancy Clark – a representative from the Committee on Ministry who has previous experience as an interim, will discuss
a. the process for calling an interim minister and
b. the role and expectations of an interim minister and the Board during the months ahead before you call someone to be your next head of staff pastor.
2. The Rev. Dr. Wilson Gunn, the General Presbyter for National Capital Presbytery, will preach on Sunday, February 12. Following the service he will be available for questions and answers during your time of food and fellowship.
In the days and weeks ahead, your Board will identify specific roles and responsibilities for an interim, interview potential candidates, and then call someone who will lead you through the next phase of your journey. In the document "INTENTIONAL INTERIM MINISTRY GUIDELINES - the introduction to the description of the interim period and process" congregations are reminded:
The interim period is the "between times" for a congregation bridging the time when their installed pastor has resigned and departed and another pastor is called and installed. This period in the life of a congregation is not a tragedy, rather it is a creative and dynamic moment in their corporate faith journey and history.
"Whenever a minister leaves a congregation, for whatever reason (death, retirement, acceptance of a new call, being asked to resign, etc.), the departure always evokes some kind of crisis. It also provides a congregation with an occasion for new opportunity in ministry. It is indeed a time of freedom for you, as lay leaders, to make of this occasion what you will. It is one time in the life of a congregation when everyone expects change, and you have the choice of being victims of change or of taking advantage of the opportunity to share in the planning of that change."
- Phillip Porcher, "What You Can Expect from an Interim
Pastor and an Interim Consultant," (The Alban Institute), p.2.
I realize the between times of Dan's departure and the call of an installed pastor can seem like a long time and some may begin to wonder how the church will manage until someone is called. This is a normal reaction to such a situation. But herein lies the hope for the future: … those who trust in the Lord will receive new strength. They will fly as high as eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not grow weak. ~Isaiah 40:3 NIRV.
May you claim this promise! And, for those of you who were here last Sunday for the reaffirmation of you baptismal vows: remember the vows of your baptism and share the significance of such with those who were not present in worship. Recall how you are a beloved child of God, loved more than you can even begin to imagine. Know that God loves you too much to leave you the way you are. Take time to share with the world whose you are (not who you are – there is a difference), and to know that the Spirit of God will guide you and direct you in the days ahead.
As a congregation you are blessed with a Board that understands its responsibilities, takes those responsibilities seriously, and will provide you with leadership in the days ahead, just as they have in the days gone by. May you trust and abide with the collective wisdom of the group you elected to represent you. Keep them in your daily prayers. Thank them for their dedication and commitment to serve in this capacity.
Be patient. The call of an interim and a new pastor is a process. This process is part of the journey in which God has called you to build up and support one another, to be creative and try new endeavors – not for the sake of change; but change that is according to God's word and the power and leading of God's Spirit as you continue together in ministry. Know that
God's strength behind you,
God's concern for you,
God's love within you,
And your care and support for one another
in acts of ministry
will see you thought this phase of the journey that
God now calls UPB to embark upon.
Blessings in this journey. Enjoy it! I am excited and humbled to be a part of it.
~ Rev. Jeri Fields
UPB Gap Minister
Office phone: 301-249-6411
On the web: www.unitedparishbowie.org
A LOOK AT SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2012: Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Adult Education (9:45 AM)
Worship with celebration of the Lord's Supper (11:00 AM)
SOUPer Bowl Sunday (see special announcements)
Scripture Readings: Isaiah 40: 21-31 NRSV and Isaiah 40: 21-31 NRSV
Sermon: "Lifted Up"
A LOOK AHEAD TO THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 6 – FEBRUARY 11
Tuesday, Feb. 7 Men's breakfast: (7:45am – 8:45am) at Bob Evans, 4308 Crain Hwy, Bowie, MD
Board meeting (7:00 PM – rescheduled since regularly scheduled meeting is Valentine's day)
Wednesday, Feb. 8 SEEDS (6:00 – 7:15 PM)
Choir Rehearsal (7:30 PM)
SAVE THE DATE
Wednesday, Feb. 22 Ash Wednesday Service (7:30 PM)
Thursday, April 5 Maundy Thursday Service (7:30 PM)
Friday, April 6 Good Friday Service (7:30 PM)
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
FOOD DRIVE
To support the Bowie Food Pantry after the holidays when their donations tend to slow down, the Mission & Service Committee invite you, the congregation, to participate in a focused food drive. While we support the Bowie Pantry all year, this is an opportunity to put more focus on it for the next 7 weeks. To ensure a variety of items, we have designated certain foods for each week based on input from the pantry.
February 5 peanut butter, jelly
February 12 canned meat such as beef stew, chicken breast meat, chicken and dumplings.
February 19 canned beans - any kind
February 26 toilet paper
March 4 fresh fruit/Fresh vegetables
SOUPer BOWL SUNDAY: February 5
On Sunday February 5th, 140 million Americans will tune in to the Super Bowl football game. There will be parties with abundant food, friendship and fellowship. At the same time, there will be people worrying about staying warm, finding shelter and a warm meal. Please join young people around the country as they demonstrate God's love by loving their neighbors through the SOUPer Bowl of Caring. It's a simple, yet significant act of caring for others. Bring cans of soup or drop $1 (or more) in the soup pot as you leave worship on February 5th. Our young people are developing hearts for giving that can last a lifetime. Please support their efforts.
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