"Come Holy Spirit, descend on us, descend on us. We gather here in Jesus' name."
Holding this prayer in our hearts from the Lenten journey, we gather on the Monday following Easter with the assurance that the Holy Spirit is among us as we commend ourselves to open deliberation while reaching for consensus on recommendation of our next lead pastor.
As we do so, consider again the worthy words of our Council President Randy Nelson:
"A successful call process is a combination of dedicated diligent work and the movement of the Holy
Spirit. It is about matching gifts of a servant of God with the needs and opportunities presented by a congregation. The result is a call. A call is above all an invitation and a commitment to a relationship. It is not finally a job -- although there is work that will be done. It is not finally about a contract --although there is obligation and accountability on the part of both congregation and pastor. It is not about finding the perfect person -- there is no perfect person for this or any call, just as there is no perfect congregation, not even Holy Trinity. No, it is a call -- a venture in faith that reflects discernment, judgment, and the conviction that God is at work in the process through prayer, hard work, and the Holy Spirit."
Spirit. It is about matching gifts of a servant of God with the needs and opportunities presented by a congregation. The result is a call. A call is above all an invitation and a commitment to a relationship. It is not finally a job -- although there is work that will be done. It is not finally about a contract --although there is obligation and accountability on the part of both congregation and pastor. It is not about finding the perfect person -- there is no perfect person for this or any call, just as there is no perfect congregation, not even Holy Trinity. No, it is a call -- a venture in faith that reflects discernment, judgment, and the conviction that God is at work in the process through prayer, hard work, and the Holy Spirit."
We offer heartfelt thanks to our congregation for sustaining us through your prayers, your words of support and encouragement, and for your presence with us in this journey.
Lynda Nordholm, on behalf of the Call Committee
