Consistory President’s Notes
It is the end of another year, a year that has brought many blessings to those of us who call First Reformed UCC our spiritual home. We are blessed with the presence of our called minister, Robin Keating and his spouse Trudy; we are blessed with a dedicated and capable staff of Paula Lopp, Cathy Waitman, Paul Freeman and Lee Ann Peele; we are blessed with the leadership of John Barber and our Stephen Ministers; we are blessed with the leadership of our Consistory members who have provided many hours of service on our behalf; and most importantly, we are blessed with you the members of First Reformed UCC who have supported the staff and the varied programs and projects which we have enjoyed throughout the year. It has been a year filled with hard work on the part of many and a host of meaningful worship, fellowship, learning and community service activities—the calling of our new pastor, the Commissioning of our 12 Stephen Ministers, the Community Garden project, the Blessing of the Animals, the Blessing of Prayer Shawls, the Oktoberfest, and the Mystery Dinner Theatre—just to name a few. Your participation is commendable, and especially your financial support has provided the resources needed for our church programming as well as our community outreach. At our December Consistory meeting we were assured that all Benevolences would be paid by the end of the year. We rejoice and give thanks for all God’s Blessings!
At the December meeting of Consistory the officers were elected: Tom Danze, President; June Grubb, Vice President; Glenyce Fulton, Secretary; and Harriette Murphy, Treasurer. These four people also serve as the Executive Committee of Consistory and with Tom’s leadership they will meet within the next few weeks to choose the Board chairpersons and help provide names for the various Boards for the year 2012, beginning January 1st. The newly elected consistory members and officers will be installed early in January. At that time the two persons named as Elder Emeriti, Joyce Price and Roy Bevan will also be recognized. (My apologies to Roy for omitting his name in the November newsletter).
At the end of December my tenure as President of the Consistory/Congregation will come to an end. It has been an awesome tasks and I am grateful for the support you have given to the leadership of First Reformed UCC. My hope is that we will continue to seek God’s presence among us and that we will continue to Be and Do whatever we discern to be God’s will as we serve others —fellow members, and folk in the community and world.
Peace to you and a Blessed Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
June Grubb, Consistory President