|
CONTINUING THE CELEBRATION
In my first message to you in the July 2009 issue of The Chimes, I quoted a passage from the book
Reaching for Rainbows by Ann Weems,
where the author writes: “I celebrate the church of Jesus Christ, where two or
three or thousands can gather together in the Lord’s name and touch this world
with the amazing good news that somebody cares, that God joins us in community
so that someday this world will be loved to wholeness.”
When Cindi and I arrived at Christ
Church a year ago, we did so with hearts full of joy. As our “interim
appointment for up to one year” draws to a close at the end of June, our
hearts overflow with an even greater abundance of joy – not because we’re
leaving, but because we have been blessed with a year of praying with,
worshiping with, laughing and crying with, planning and studying with and
thoroughly loving and being loved by some of the most wonderful Christian people
we have ever known in forty-one years of ordained ministry. You folks are
remarkable in so many ways. Your love and concern for one another, your
passionate desire to help persons in need, your deep faith and abiding
commitment to Jesus Christ and to all that is good, noble, righteous and pure in
this world are indicative of your clear understanding of the gospel of our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ.
Our all-too-short time together has included opportunities for
spirit-filled worship, full to overflowing with intensely beautiful music by our
tower chimes, organ, vocal and bell choirs and various individuals from the
congregation; extraordinary assistance in worship by lay and clergy liturgists;
fabulous worship, study and service opportunities with our sister congregation,
Union Avenue United Methodist Church and the chance to share in ministry with
Pastors Hoyte Wilhelm and Rebecca Innerst, along with opportunities for me to
lead worship at nearby Copeland Oaks, a place that many of my teachers and
mentors in ministry over the years, along with Christ Church members, call home.
In addition to worship, there have been many thrilling times of Christian
fellowship including: working at the burger stand at Carnation Days in the Park,
Christmas family night, Easter breakfast, fellowship luncheons, "witnessing” the
making of peanut brittle, opportunities to attend plays in which children from
Christ Church acted and concerts in which members of the congregation played,
along with lectures, service club meetings and dramatic productions to which we
were invited by members of the congregation, the Tower Concert Series, Scouting
programs and events, circle and unit meetings of United Methodist Women, the Day
Care Christmas program, and a variety of other special times too numerous to
mention. In addition to the many wonderful memories Cindi and I take with us
from Christ Church, I must share what a privilege it has been for me to work
with a staff of individuals that is second-to-none. Believe me when I tell you
how blessed you are as a congregation to have a committed and loyal staff of
folks that works tirelessly on your behalf.
To say that we will miss you and the joy of our ministry
together is an understatement of epic proportions. You have brought unparalleled
joy to our hearts and lives over the last twelve months and for this we will be
forever grateful. Although it’s difficult to leave, we’re excited and overjoyed
for you at the appointment of the Reverend Karl Stonebraker as pastor of Christ
Church. Karl and Pam are delightful folks and will fit into the Alliance and
Christ Church communities in wonderfully marvelous ways. You will love Karl and
Pam and the inspiring, sensitive and committed leadership they will bring to
Christ Church. I know Karl to be one of the truly gifted, deeply spiritual and
genuinely compassionate pastors in our East-Ohio Annual Conference. God will
richly bless the mission and ministry of Christ Church through Karl and Pam
Stonebraker.
Our prayer for you, dear friends, is that you continue to
faithfully serve the Lord Jesus Christ as you have in the past. God has granted
you special gifts and a deep and abiding commitment. Continue to do everything
in your power to fulfill the Great Commission of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ – “to make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you.”
B LESSINGS ON YOU NOW AND
ALWAYS! WE
WILL NEVER
FORGET YOU.
Pastor Chris and Cindi Martin |