In “The King & I”,
when Anna, the English Governess, meets the King’s children, she sings the familiar: “Getting to Know You…..Getting to know all
about you….Getting to like you…Getting to hope you’ll like me…..”
It's the less familiar introduction
that lives in my heart as an Interim Pastor:
It's a
very ancient saying
But a true and honest thought
That if you become a teacher
By your pupils you'll be
taught
I believe good Interim Ministry involves a commitment to learning from each other all along the way. And so, our Interim time
begins, in the summer, when things are hopefully, a little bit slower and perhaps,
“the livin’ is easy" and hopefully, with some time to get to know each other.
I am eager to begin my
work with you and there will be lots of work! Over the coming months, we will try some new
things – keep some of them and reject others. We’ll reflect on the strengths of
Good Shepherd and the ways you can improve on them. We’ll identify the
challenges you face and imagine ways to address them. And, most importantly,
we’ll work together to create an excellent Church Profile that will help you
seek and find your next Pastor.
But first….we need some time to get to know each other. We can learn by listening to each other and by listening for the ways that our StillSpeaking God is
leading Good Shepherd Church into the future.
As you welcome me in
the days ahead, I invite you to help me get to know you:
Come to worship as often as you can. Meet with me for
breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee or just a little ‘office time’ – I’ll be
around for the rest of the summer. Come to one of the cottage meetings that the
Transition Team will host. Give me a call, send me an email……….You get the
picture. I want to hear as many of your stories and hopes and ideas as
possible, as soon as possible.
I'm going to enjoy 'getting to know you'……as we begin this rich time together!
Blessings, Laura Lee
