This Sunday at our 9 and 11:15 a.m. services we will honor Christopher Thomas, who has served as our Chief Administrative Officer for the past three years. Chris will resign his position at the end of May in order to complete a hospital chaplaincy internship, which is a final requirement before ordination in the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth. During his tenure, Chris has effectively guided the administrative aspects of our church’s life, including updating our policies, improving our financial transparency, and strengthening our development work. But it is Chris’ pastoral presence and servant’s heart that most of us will remember and miss the most. Even as he helped members obtain information they needed or supported the staff on various projects, Chris always showed his genuine care and compassion. He loves people and strives to build relationships even as he performs tasks.
This Sunday we will pray for Chris as he prepares to embark on a significant new chapter of servant leadership for Christ’s church. It is our hope and expectation that, with this chaplaincy under his belt, he will be approved for ordination to the diaconate later this summer and the priesthood roughly six months later. We don’t yet know where he will minister beyond that, but his story is one of God creating remarkable new opportunities to allow him to serve. I hope you’ll join us this Sunday at either service to say thank you, or consider writing a note or sharing some other token of gratitude before his final day with us on Wednesday, May 31. Importantly, the wardens and I have already begun the search to find our next parish administrator, who will help us continue to provide quality, effective administration of our parish finances and operations.
One of the things Chris was most passionate about was expanding and improving the information in our database about every member. He inspired the vestry to begin a month-long process of information-gathering to help us know more about you. So beginning this weekend and running for the next several weeks, vestry members will be on hand in the Gathering Space with a brief form to help us learn more about you. In addition to confirming accurate contact information, it will help us to know things like your profession, educational background, and special skills or expertise. We also want to learn what you’re enthusiastic about doing, or what abilities you have that may help our church operate and minister better. I hope you’ll take five minutes to stop by the table in the Gathering Space to fill this out. All forms not completed in the next four weeks will be mailed, so please save us time and $.50 by filling out your form in person.
We’re winding down this program year, but we are far from summer hibernation. Education for all ages, outreach opportunities, special worship events, and fellowship gatherings are all happening this weekend and next week. Read below to learn more, and I hope to see you soon.
-Casey+