On Thursday June 17th three synod delegates from Mount Olive, Andy Anderson, Mike Flesher, and Kathy Ronningen and I, along with our spouses, traveled to Tucson to attend the 2010 Grand Canyon Assembly. The theme this year was, “Never Under Estimate the Power of the Spirit,” which Bishop Steve Talmage explained was that despite the current economic conditions, the 2009 Church-wide Assembly decision, and the fact that Phoenix and Las Vegas are leading the nation with the most home foreclosures, God’s Holy Spirit is still with us and has seen the Grand Canyon Synod safely through the past year. With the Holy Spirit’s help, vital ministries throughout Arizona, Nevada, and Utah have continued to be carried out and the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ has continued to go forth in word and deed. Thanks be to God!
Then on Friday June 18 pastors and delegates attended a number of new and exciting workshops with topics such as:
- Being the Church for All Generations.
- Congregations in Mission-Meeting the Need for Senior Housing.
- Living into the Future Together.
- Towards Sustainable Christian Living: Why It Matters.
- Welcome to the Place that Cares.
We all came away from these workshops informed and excited about all the ministry possibilities that are available for the churches of the Grand Canyon Synod.
The 2010 Synod Assembly ended on Saturday, and we all returned home with the renewed realization that “We Must “Never Underestimate the Power of the Spirit” to see us through good times and bad as we carry on Christ’s work until He comes again.
I have asked our three delegates to write a short article about their experience at this year’s Synod Assembly so be looking for their reports in next month’s newsletter.
On Saturday and Sunday June 19th & 20th I held a short building forum at the end of each Worship Service to discuss where the Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC) is in regards to our building program, specifically the Sanctuary additions, the proposed changes to the Parish Center, and the construction of a new Multipurpose building.
LRPC is proposing that Phase 1 would be the Sanctuary additions and include the building of a Multipurpose Building.
Phase 2 would be the taking down of the existing Parish Center and building a new office/classrooms complex on that site. I shared with the congregation at both services that the architects were waiting to begin their design work once our members gave them the “go ahead.”
Both services shared their excitement with what the LRPC was doing and that they are ready for us to move ahead with concept drawings of the changes and estimated costs of construction. Then on Tuesday June 22nd Bishop Steve Talmage came to Mount Olive to meet with our Call Committee to go through the Grand Canyon Synod’s “Call Committee Orientation” manual and to submit to us names and profiles of candidates for us to review for our Associate Pastor position. As I write this article the Synod Assembly theme, “Never Underestimate the Power of the Spirit” continues to speak to me and I hope to you as we move forward together by faith in Jesus Christ.
See you in church!
Blessings, Pastor Jim Price
|
