By The Rev. Dr. Anne McKee

Dear Friends, 

Our text this coming Sunday is the last few verses of Jesus’ teaching his disciples as he sends them out for their missionary journey. It’s a verse all about hospitality – about welcoming others, and accepting their hospitality. He promises that whoever welcomes them also welcomes Christ, and God, as well. The bottom line seems fairly clear – the life of carrying on Christ’s work may be challenging, but when we open our hearts and lives to one another, Christ is present in our midst.

I have certainly felt the presence of Christ as you have welcomed me so warmly these last seven weeks. It’s not always easy to receive a new minister, especially one who is as short-time as I have been, and especially after coming off a hard transition. It would have made sense for you all to say, verbally or through actions, “no thank you.” Instead, I found you so warm, genuine, and open for what I had to offer. You listened to my sermons; you received my visits; you welcomed my suggestions; you dropped by the office. You shared your perspectives and experiences with me. You showed me the ropes. You prayed with me and, I assume, for me, in this work. 

You don’t make much “progress” in seven weeks, though, as I said in my first sermon, I take comfort that it’s been just about 40 days, a good Biblical period of time. I hope you all are feeling more steady and hopeful than you were in mid-May. I’ve been thrilled by your faithful worship attendance and all the ways so many of you contribute to the life of Fountain City Presbyterian Church. There are many opportunities in July to build your ties to one another, an excellent way to continue the process of growing stronger.

I hope that by worship on Sunday we’ll have a leadership plan to announce which will carry you forward into the next steps of this transitional time. I think a good plan is coming into place; we just have a couple more details to work out before going public. But Jesus has promised to be among us, whenever we welcome those who come in his name. I trust you will do exactly that, and will richly rewarded with his presence, for it.

Blessings,

Anne