I’m happy to say, as I wrap up this phase of serving you, that help is on the way. The session just voted to invite the Rev. Janna Preston to serve as your transitional pastor. You probably know Janna. She preached here a couple of times in the last year, when Susan had to be away. She is currently on the staff at Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church, where she does a lot of pastoral care and program support, but she has a good background in congregational ministry. She will be working here 30 hours per week, and continue her work at Sequoyah Hills for 10 hours a week. She will be a good pastor for you. And I am going to stay with you a little bit, mostly in the background, to help with your process of getting a new pastor. That will involve some work with Session and the nominating committee to prepare for a new PNC, and then supporting the PNC while they tackle the search process. I’ll have some contact with the congregation, especially around to help you clarify your goals for the next years, and to help you gain strength and clarity toward this next phase. I might preach now and then, to help Janna out and to move us along in the transition. I feel like Janna and I will be a good team to support all the good people here who lead your ministry. Next week, Wendy Neff, our General Presbyter, will preach, and then Janna will start the Sunday after that. She’ll be in the office regularly, starting July 13.

Mostly, I want to say thank you. It has been a true blessing to me to be among you. I’ve known Fountain City from afar, having been in the presbytery for a long time. But these last few weeks, you truly have invited me in, like a disciple on the road looking for a place to stay and work. We shared that cup of cold water on a long journey. I am so heartened by your ministry, and I trust there will be excellent things in your future. Christ is here, because you welcome one another in his name. That’s all we need.