Dear First Pres,
What are you grateful for right now? When entering a very full season, I look forward to slowing down by creating a few minutes in the day to be grateful. As Session ended their meeting last night Suzanne Kimball posed this question. No matter if we are worn out to the point of exhaustion, grieved by tragedy or celebrating each other’s accomplishments, may we be a grateful community who reminds one another of God’s mercy and faithfulness.
I am grateful for…
- Jesus' gift of grace and new life for us to walk into.
- Cool mornings and the chance of rain.
- Pastor Jeremy Vaccaro equipping and building up church leadership well.
- Session who leads with humility and courage while discerning and shepherding.
- Deacons who meet the tangible needs of others, often during really difficult times.
- FPC Staff who continue to rise to the occasion and figure out logistics that bless us all.
- City Bible Adventure as children and volunteers fill the church campus with laughter.
- You-even if I don’t personally know you- this community is special and has a way of meeting tangible needs in profound ways, may you know God sees you, knows you and loves you.
On this note of gratitude we have some exciting news to share with you from the Children’s and Youth Search Team (Meagan Bergem, Tahiea Fortmeyer, Crista Newman and Bert Aguilar): we’ve officially hired Sophia Steele as the new High School Minister!
Sophia starts this week and will be supervising Jacob Wood, the High School Summer Staffer. We are excited for all Sophia brings to the Children’s & Youth Team. She has served as a camp counselor, a summer staffer, and recently completed her time with YWAM. She graduated with a BA in Christian Leadership from Jessup University where she also served as a Residential Assistant (RA). Sophia has lots of energy and passion for Jesus and for students. She looks forward to building deeper relationships and helping the Rooted community in their efforts of evangelism and outreach. Here’s a note from Sophia as she begins this new journey:
“Hello FPC family! I am beyond excited and thankful to be joining our leadership team and living life alongside our amazing high schoolers. This summer is already showing off God’s faithfulness and passion for our youth. I am incredibly grateful to get to witness it and join in with our Staff Team. Ten years ago I was first introduced to God’s love through community in our Jr. High youth group. It is wild to think about that - that God used our youth ministry to take a shy and insecure girl who knew nothing of the Bible or community to this new reality where she gets to serve and love just like what was done so faithfully for her. I am truly humbled and in awe! I’m looking forward to partnering with parents, youth leaders, and the Lord to pour out as we have been poured into. The Rooted community holds such a beautiful and special place in my heart. I’m so eager to see how Jesus will continue to work in new ways as I serve First Pres. If you have any questions for me or would like to get to know me more, I would be more than happy to meet with you over a cup of coffee or lunch after Sunday Service.”
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Let’s pray for each other as this transition happens, may God lead us to be deeply rooted in his love and grace. Amen.
Blessings,
Meagan
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