Pastor’s Perspective

How does one say Thank You?

This is my final newsletter article. My message is a simple – Thank You and God Bless You to a church that renewed my faith. 
But allow me to elaborate just a little.

Thank you for allowing me to be myself, particularly in the pulpit, more than any other church I’ve ever known. To be loved for who I really am is a great gift.

My wife Tracy has an ever so consuming career as a teacher, and thank you for never placing “Wife of the Minister” expectations upon her. Her participation has been out of pleasure rather than expectation.

Thank you for allowing me to explore, particularly in the area of theology. I’m acutely aware I have departed from the standard party line, and I’ve tried to do it with integrity and for good reasons. But some churches simply don’t allow it at all. THANK YOU for that freedom.

Thank you for your generosity, both in terms of time and money. You have given me time off when I needed it, and you have paid me such that I feel my work has been respected.

Thank you for giving me such a wonderful staff, whether they are volunteer positions or paid. They all go above and beyond.

I would like to mention in particular Dubbie Agard, Bill Cuddeback, Cindi West-Davidson, Judy Giblin, Julie Ann Johnson, Cheryl Kindt, Bernie Lewis, Arlene Price, Marty Rorapaugh, Toni Rorapaugh, Sherry Shadduck, Barb Thompson, Jamie Walters, Vanessa Warren, Nancy Wildoner. And they might as well be staff with all they do, thank you to our Board Chairs: Clare Price, Doug Garnar, and Art Price.

However, I need to mention one in particular. Leslie began as church administrator one year before I arrived. And she has been a Godsend. Talented, smart, the perfect personality for the job, no one could have asked for a better administrator, as well as confidant and friend. Thank you, Leslie, for all you do, and for who you are. I will miss working with you, but will cherish many, many happy memories. (Remember – three hymns!)

I’m not sure if this is the best way to say this, but thank you for putting up with me. I’ve been a minister for 35 years, and in that amount of time one learns of one’s strengths and weaknesses.

Early on
 psychologists and counselors forewarned me that my personality was an ill fit for the ministry. “Go ahead and do it if you want,” they warned me, “but you will encounter some troubles.” And I did – I went ahead, and I encountered troubles. I have intended to leave the ministry twice.

So thank you for putting up with at least the part of me that never fit well into the normal clergy mold. When I arrive at the pearly gates, I don’t expect to hear “Well done, good and faithful servant.” What I’m hoping for is “Well, ok, not too bad, could have been worse.”

And thank you for the good times. We’ve had good laughs on Sunday mornings. We’ve had precious moments when the angels showed up. We’ve had fun working together for parades, rummage sales, turkey dinners, and 570 coffee hours in the Parlor. We’ve even had good times in the church committee meetings…imagine that!

You are a blessing to me; for allowing me to leave with a sense of contentment in my heart, a smile upon my face, and a modicum of sanity in my head.

They say that we can have friends of silver, and friends of gold. Thank you for gilding my time amongst you.

Your friend, Art Suggs

Ramp & Accessible Entrance Construction Completed

The construction is finished and looks wonderful, and allows easier access for members and visitors.

Also in the December 2018 Forecaster:

• Advent begins –

• Congregational Conversation – December 9th following morning service.

• Member Zach DuBord progresses with his call to ministry (see The Forecaster for an update – download below).

• Christmas on the near-horizon – Be a Christmas Angel, Help Decorate the Sanctuary, and other rewarding and joyful pursuits!

• Christmas Cookie Exchange (coming right up, December 4th!)

• New Wireless Intel at F.C.C.

… and more.

Download the full Forecaster (December 2018) here.