It’s already been quite a summer, and we’re not even halfway through. It’s easy to look around and see evidence of God’s activity and leading in our life as a church family. Each day during Kid Zone camps we’ve had 150 or more children taking part in fun and games, singing and playing, learning and growing through the leadership of an amazing staff. For July they’ve been joined on Tuesdays through Thursdays by our Preschool summer school program. And next week we will be holding Vacation Bible Camp – which is pretty well the busiest week of the whole year. So much for things “quieting down” at church during the summer!
We’ve welcomed Doug Dickson and his family. His work as our associate pastor this year will focus on helping build a solid and sustaining team to give leadership to our programs with youth and their families. He is already working with the Youth Committee leaders, helping search for a new staff-person to work with our Junior High, and preparing to go with our Senior High on their week with Sierra Service Project. We’re grateful for his energy and helpfulness and look forward to a strong year to come.
The cover photo offers a view of what’s been going on “behind the fence” these past five months. By the time you read this it should have come down. It will be a couple of weeks before the new parking lot is completely ready for use, but we’re making great progress. There’s paint on the walls, flooring going in this week, and we look forward to moving in very soon.
Half-way through the year, our financial picture is also very positive. We will have paid for all of the Phase One work without borrowing. We received a check for $27,000 from the Cal Shake Roofing class action settlement, which allowed us (with the help of money from Trustees’ reserves) to complete one whole side of the sanctuary roof, rather than simply patching the new construction. It was our roofing contractor who called to our attention that we would qualify, and that was helpful to say the least!
We are ahead of where we expected to be for the entire church budget as well. While we know there will be ups and downs between now and the year’s end, I have to take this opportunity to say “thank you” for the generosity and love which you continue to share with others through your giving. We are blessed to make a difference in the world God loves. As we move through the rest of the year, I know we will see even more opportunities to touch people’s lives with healing and hope, with grace and peace. They have never been more important than they are today.
Grace and peace,
