Two Crucial Updates

MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENTS

Dear Church, Pastor Joel here.

This email is a recap of major announcements that were shared in our gathering on Sunday, May 18.

SUNDAY was going to be the day when I shared with you that the lead team has approved me for a ministry renewal leave from June 8 to August 16 this summer.

Going on leave and taking time to recalibrate, is a normal, natural part of being a healthy pastor.

But if you know my life, you know this is not a normal, natural time for us–but that our family is grappling with a life-altering diagnosis. And so we need some time to reorganize our lives AND be sure that we are enjoying the time that we have together.

*I know you’re praying for us! Keep praying that God will do what God wants to do for our family and for this church.*

I will miss being with you this summer BUT I also have so much confidence in what God is able to do while I’m away. Last time I was on leave was 2020. During my leave God clarified for me the values that have guided this church for the last 6 years: Contemplative Spirituality, Emotional Health, Racial Justice. AND I came back to a healthier church where people stepped up in my absence and stayed up when I returned. So I’m going on leave. Looking forward to being back in late August, hopefully to baptize a few of you.

(If you or someone in your household would like to be baptized on August 23, please email me at joel@accesscov.com before leave begins on June 8, so that we can set you up with a mentor.)

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The timing of my leave is especially interesting because on Friday our landlord informed me that they have accepted an offer for the sale of this building, and we need to vacate this property on June 29, 45 days from yesterday.

Take a breath.

Did you take a breath? Seriously, please do  . . . it’s helpful.

We knew this was a possibility, and thanks be to God, some doors have already opened with good location options going forward. But this does change things. It means we have to discern together how to move forward, we need to be listening carefully to the Holy Spirit in our own souls, and in each other.

That’s why next Sunday, May 24 we are going to re-purpose our Sunday gathering as a LISTENING SESSION to hear from you what is important to you as we discern our next location.

If you cannot be here for the listening session we will be sending out an online survey in the next couple says, and we want to make sure we hear from everybody who considers this church home.

If you’re newer here, and you haven’t formally committed to this church, you’re invited to come with us! To do this with us. You’re more than welcome—you’re wanted.

AND If you have committed to this church, if you have stood up before the community and been prayed for and called this your church, then:

This is where our promises become real. When it’s inconvenient and messy.

IN SUM:

1) LISTENING SESSION SUNDAY MAY 24 10:00-11:30 AM.

2) ON-LINE SURVEYS WILL GO OUT ON OR BEFORE WEDNESDAY MAY 20. Please complete by Sunday at 10 AM.

Let’s do this together.

[P.S. Due to the last minute nature of this meeting, we don’t have an option for interacting via streaming.]

That’s a lot. At worship on Sunday we took a moment to pray together and name our emotions to God. As you digest this information, let me encourage you to do the same. I’ve left a guided reflection below to help us spiritually prepare for our discernment process together.

When the people of Judea were abducted from their homes by a global superpower and forced to resettle in a community they did not know, God spoke these words through the prophet:

*I am about to do a new thing;

now it springs forth; do you not perceive it?

I will make a way in the wilderness

and rivers in the desert.*

—Isaiah 43:19

I am confident that in this season, God will do as God always does—a new, and life-giving thing.

For the Healing of All God’s Children,

Pastor Joel & the Access Lead Team

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SUGGESTED PRAYER

INHALE: Holy Spirit

EXHALE: Lead Your People.

(repeat slowly, 4x)

Reflect:

What emotions do you feel stirring within you as you consider this news?

Pray:

Jesus, I offer you my feelings of [ . . . .].

Thank you for your great love for me, for this church, for all people, and for Creation.

Help our church to hear your Voice in the days to come. And help me to participate in the work you are doing.

Amen.

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