Ardyce Retires from Receiving Treasurer Position

On Monday September 15, the session received--with great appreciation for her years of service--the retirement of Ardyce as Receiving Treasurer. Ardyce has been in this position since January 1998. When the Personnel Ministry Team conducted her annual review this summer, Ardyce said she planned to continue her work at the church. Due to her health those plans have changed. She knows that now is the time.

Plans are in the works to have a reception for Ardyce in the near future. It is likely we will recognize Ron and Ardyce together. Look for more details soon. In the meantime, join me in your prayers of thanksgiving and healing for Ron and Ardyce. They know that you all love them and care for them!

This past Sunday, the session held a special meeting and approved an offer to Dana to serve as Temporary Receiving Treasurer for a period of 90 days, from September 28^th through December 28^th. This action allows for Ardyce to retire as soon as possible (the end of this month). This action also gives the session time to search for a permanent Receiving Treasurer. We are beginning that search now. Preference will be given to non-members of this church. The position information is posted on our church website. Please help us spread the word.

In our discussion, the session acknowledged the cumulative effect of changes within our congregation. You are in an interim period. Kat and Ron have retired. And now Ardyce. We acknowledge that this is a lot to deal with. But just because things are changing doesn’t mean something is wrong. Nancy is doing very well in the office. You have received her with grace. Ron’s duties are being handled by the elected leaders of Buildings & Grounds and Worship (Damon and Andy). Now Dana, who has accounting experience and works at Southminster with the same software program, will be able to process receipts and deposits efficiently and in the strictest of confidence. The ruling elders are leading with prudence. So while there is a lot going on, you also can know that the mission of the church has not been compromised. You can have confidence in those who are leading. Most of all I ask you to have confidence in God. This is Christ’s church, and that is enough.

Interim periods are tough. No one really likes them. But the changes can often be very productive. I believe this is true for you. Your next pastor will be in an excellent position to come in and focus on ministry without being unduly burdened by administrative tasks. So hang in there. You haven’t entered the Promised Land. But you can still believe in it!

Can You Spare a Square?

As we continue to adjust to the transition with Ron’s retirement, please remember that we have capable leaders and committees already in place. So if you have a question regarding the building, please ask ruling elder Damon. He is the chair of Buildings & Grounds. He will either help you directly or get the right person to you. If you have a question about worship or the sanctuary, please see ruling elder Andy. He is the chair of Worship Ministry Team and is aware of all that needs to be attended to. Of course I am also available to help or to point you in the right direction.

There will be things that go wrong. Like last Sunday morning when there was no toilet paper in the women’s bathroom in the Ed Building. This is not the tragedy that it might first appear to be! After the initial frustration of the moment subsides (“can you spare a square?”) we all realize that we all have a “roll” (pun intended) to make our church run soft and smooth like Charmin. The toilet paper is not hidden, nor is it the sole domain of the chosen few. It is kept in the closet (a.k.a. “Ron’s closet”) in the corner of the Ed Building, next to the Outreach Classroom and the sound equipment. Grab what you need to restock your stall, and maybe grab an extra for your neighbor. Given the choice of “why isn’t this done for me?” and “how can I be a part of the solution?” I ask you to choose the latter.

In other news, Grace Presbytery has reached a settlement in the lawsuit that Highland Park Presbyterian Church initiated against the presbytery last fall. The settlement states that HPPC will pay the presbytery $7.8 million dollars. This allows them to be released from the trust clause and to be released from the denomination. So the departing congregation is paying the presbytery so they may keep their property and assets. However, as the lawsuit is being settled and even while a trial has been avoided, the pain is still present. There remains some within that congregation who wish to remain affiliated with the PC(USA). I ask you to continue in prayer for all those who suffer the pain of division.

We are a connectional church. This means we laugh with each other when we realize we just sat down in a stall without toilet paper. It also means we stick with each other in our differing opinions. It also means we love and support each other in times of sorrow, loss and stress. You do that well.

Thanks be to God!

Ron is Retiring

Last week I informed the session of Ron S’s intention to step down from his volunteer duties here at the church. Ron, Ardyce and I spoke several times about this in August, and Ron has decided to “retire again” by November 30 of this year.

Over 20 years ago, Ron volunteered to take on the duties of the church custodian when that position became vacant. Ron had already retired from his own career at Kraft and had already been a key member of the church, holding several leadership positions with a particular focus in worship and music. Now in 1994 he also added another hat, and became a volunteer custodian and has continued this for the past 20 plus years. These additional duties saved the church at least $400,000 over the years since we didn’t have to replace that staff custodial position.

Some of you are wondering “who will replace Ron”? In one sense no one in particular will replace him, as this position is being eliminated. The duties will be divided up to the worship and buildings/grounds teams. As a result, these duties will be picked up by lots of different people. So the other answer to who will replace Ron is “we will”, since we all will be responsible to take care of things that Ron used to do for us. The church is blessed with strong teams with effective leaders who are capable to make this transition go as smooth as possible.

Ron is now retiring his “volunteer hat” but of course will continue to wear his “member hat.” He will remain a significant resource, being a phone call away to answer questions about building maintenance and the history of our congregation. This transition comes at the right time, allowing committees and people to take on parts of what Ron has been doing and to make any adjustments for 2015. This transition also comes at the right time, opening a new space for the new pastor when he/she arrives. Until then it is the right time to offer our sincere appreciation to Ron (and to Ardyce and their family) for such dedication. Ron did all this out of his love for the church. It has been his way of being faithful, doing what he felt was right and good. Surely we can say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Well done!”

With respect and admiration!