A Note on Staff Changes
Dear Friends,
A couple months ago, we made the announcement that our Associate for Pastoral Care, the Rev. Joyce Keeshin would be entering into a sabbatical time at the beginning of 2023, and that, upon her return, she would be step into a different role as a non-stipendiary Assisting Priest. This will allow her to scale back her time and commitments at the church. At the time of that announcement, we were not prepared yet to say more about how this would affect our ministry staff, but I am glad to share with you today a clearer picture of our next steps.
When Joyce steps back from her current duties, I will take on the role of overseeing Pastoral Care at Church of the Redeemer. This is something that brings me great excitement, as I enjoy pastoral work and love you all so much. But more than that, as we continue to emerge and seek wholeness in the aftermath of the pandemic and the isolation and change it wrought, I believe that God is calling me to tend more closely to the care of this congregation’s shared life. This shift will allow me to do that.
I am pleased to say that I will have an excellent partner in this work, as Becca Morehous, who currently serves as Minister for Health and Wellness, will become Assisting Minister for Pastoral Care. Becca’s combination of interpersonal warmth, emotional intelligence, deep sensitivity, organizational skill, and spiritual depth makes her a dynamic and trustworthy pastoral minister. She will continue to oversee our Stephen Ministry, and Dementia Caregiver Support Group, and will lead our Pastoral Care meetings, among other things. I am so excited to get to work alongside her in this capacity!
Of course, even with Becca’s assistance, I cannot take on the work of two full-time priests. It will be necessary to delegate some of the other areas on which I have focused up to this point. It is with this in mind, and with the conviction that this congregation is poised to go deeper in our spiritual formation, that I have decided to call a priest who will act as Associate Rector for Discipleship. This priest will oversee programming and education, lead our Program Team, serve as clergy liaison to the Education Board, collaborate with our Preschool Director and Family Ministry, and continue to guide our congregation in our commitment to the Becoming Beloved Community initiative. You can read more about this new position here.
Please be on the lookout for further updates as we move forward in our search for a new priest to join our team, and as we continue to shape our ministry structure in order to best enable us to follow Jesus in the way of Love.
All these changes are made from a place of joy and anticipation for what God is doing at Church of the Redeemer. The energy is palpable, and we have a sense of purpose as we continue to live into our Vision of a worshiping community that knows Jesus and grows in love. As you read this, please know that you are the reason for this joy and this energy. Your participation in the life of this church makes us more of who we are meant to be, and as we approach Thanksgiving, I thank God for you every day.
Tags: Notices
