The vision team has been researching a lot of ideas for our church and our community.    The lastest idea that has come to their attention is Love INC.  This is their charge.

Love In the Name of Christ (Love INC) brings Christian churches together, across denominational lines, to help the poor by meeting immediate needs such as food and clothing, to longer-term responses through relational ministries such as life skills training and transitional housing.

Over 150 Love INC affiliates in 30 states are helping over 1 million people in need each year through more than 9,000 churches, 7,000 community agencies, and nearly 300,000 volunteers. Through Love INC, caring Christians are providing help, hope, and God’s love to neighbors in need.

To receive more information on what they are about go to loveinc.org.

 Summer is fast approaching and we are finding ourselves planning VBS again.  Nicky and I have a great program going together.  This year we are going to be putting on The Armor of God.  This is a study of Ephesians 6:11-18.  In this study we will be learning why it is important to put on the armor of God every day.  e will be looking for volunteers of all ages.  If you are unable to help out during the week then we would love to have your prayers for a safe and fun, bible centered learning experience.  VBS will run from August 2nd to August 6th, 9am to 12 noon.  We are going to have our first meeting on Tuesday, June 29th at 7pm.  If you aer interested in helping please let myself or Nicky Parrish know.  

 Respectfully Submitted,

Rachel Smith

INTERIM PASTOR PONDERINGS . . . F A R E W E L L

How can it be that 1 year and 8 months has gone by so quickly? In October of ’08 we made a Covenant to work and worship together for one year. At the end of that year we renewed the Covenant for another year until you found your new pastor or if for some reason I had to leave. As life unfolded before us, my husband was called to serve a church in Ft. Wayne, IN and I had a decision to make. After prayer and soul-searching, it seemed to us that my moving to Ft. Wayne with him was the path to take.

As we, you and I, have walked this part of our faith journeys together, “the walk” has been one of growth and learning, building trust, mutual respect and genuine deepening of faith in God’s goodness and steadfast love.

Faith United’s dossier, Church Information Form (CIF), has been approved by the Session and the Committee on Ministry of the Presbytery of Chicago. Therefore, the elected Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) may now begin seeking a pastor. Our CIF will go on-line, ads will be put in appropriate publications, and it can be given to people who self-refer or to persons whose names were suggested to the PNC as potential candidates.

Please pray for your PNC: John Fyfe, Chairperson, Mona Mitchell, Secretary,

Cathy VanKooten, Katie Mindeman, Jill Esposito, Bud LaBine and Ted Lindberg.

As for these months before your new pastor arrives, your Session will determine how to proceed with pastoral leadership. It could be: a “bridge” Interim Pastor, part-time or full-time person, weekly pulpit supply and temporary supply are some of the options.

We do not know the future, but we trust that God holds the future and that we can in confidence lean into God’s good future for us. Faith United has embraced Acts 16:5 as a way to move ahead into God’s good future, for it reminds us that size of congregation matters not, but what matters is to Know God. What matters is to Grow in Faith. What matters is to Serve Others. The rest is up to God. Being faithful to our call as disciples of Jesus Christ is reason enough to exist. Finding our “niche” is our ongoing challenge.

Friends, thank you for the privilege of serving God with you. Thank you for your friendship and support. May we all:

Live Simply, Love Generously, Pray Always and Leave the Rest to God!

Blessings, Jan

Our Prayer Chain is looking to add more Prayer Warriors.  Our ministry is very active and we take all kinds of prayer requests.  If you would like to join us in praying for our members and friends of our congregation, please speak with Maryann Kishpaugh.

If you wish to add or remove someone from our newsletter Prayer List or Sunday Bulletin Prayer List, please contact Maryann Kishpaugh or our Church Secretary.  Thank you for all your prayers.