As I approach the seventh year of pastoral leadership of FPCSLO, looking back, we have accomplished much together. Many if not most of the goals we set in 2005 have been achieved. We are a different congregation than we were then with a new staff and more than 175 new members in our ranks.  It is time again to go through the process of sounding out the congregation’s strengths and passions as we listen to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and dream together of what kind of congregation we might envision ourselves being five years from now. 

I am requesting that, by May 2010, our congregational nominating committee recommend names to our Session for a Visioning Team. The Team will be a fair representation of various constituencies of the congregation, and will lead our church through a fresh discernment process. I recommend the Visioning Team be ready to present new five year goals to the session and congregation for launch by the end of 2010. While this is in process, we will continue to strengthen our many excellent existing ministries while being vigilant of opportunities to start new ones.  

With Andrew Rock now gone to service at Grover Beach Pres, I’m sure we will be soliciting the help of volunteers and hiring some part time interim help to fill vital pastoral responsibilities Andrew left vacant. We’ll keep you posted on those plans as the Personnel Committee, Session and I sort them through together. 

Thanks to you all, too many to name, whose leadership and involvement will continue to make FPCSLO a vital, growing, effective faith community into the next decade!

Yours for the Adventure,