By The Rev. Janna Preston
Transitions are not easy. Fountain City Presbyterian and I have a lot in common: we are both in transition. My name is Janna Preston, and I am grateful and humbled to have been invited to be your interim in this time of “unknowing.” In this first column, I want to introduce myself, name the holy work of transition we are sharing, and invite us to notice the stepping stones God provides along the way. Transition can mean challenge and some grief. I understand grief. Over the last 3 years my mother and my husband of almost 13 years passed away. I have experienced grief in other ways throughout my life as many of you have, and as the church has. But throughout those times, I have learned many things. Probably the most important is that God is with us and helps us land “in a broad place.” The Psalmist wrote about this in Psalm 18 – “the Lord was my support. The Lord brought me out into a broad place; delivered me, because the Lord delighted in me.” I have been so thankful for those broad places. And so I have called this column “Stepping Stones.”
We all need stepping stones, individually and as a church family. I am so thankful for the stepping stone of God’s love and the fact that God delights in us! (How cool is that?) Church families have also been a key stepping stone for me, having served parishes in KY, TN, and FL. I was raised and then ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 2005 after completing seminary that same year. In addition to serving in parish ministry, I have also served as a chaplain at UT Hospital, as a hospice chaplain, at UT Hospice and as a full-time chaplain at healthcare facilities.
My recent parish ministry is the part-time Minister of Congregational Care at Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church. I have served there for 4 years and will continue there with a significantly scaled back schedule while I serve here for the next year. I will be in the church office 3 days a week, will lead us in worship on Sundays, and visit hospitals and homes. Reverend Anne McKee will also serve as a consultant to the church regarding the more transitional piece of the ministry.
Family has kept me grounded throughout all the transitions in my life. I was loved into the faith by the stepping stones of my family of origin and my two daughters, who each have two children of their own (two who are 5 years old, one almost two, and one a year and a half. Talk about delight!). I connect with them as much as I can.
Other stepping stones are the things that I enjoy, including time with family and friends, cooking and eating, watching sports (I was the only girl in my family of origin), especially UT sports, and going to the mountains when I can. My dog, Monk, also brings me a lot of joy. My husband was a minister as well, and we figured two ministers needed a Monk.
That is part of my story about my stepping stones. They have given me a broad place to land throughout transitions that brought grief but also tremendous joy. I am looking forward to hearing about your stepping stones and FCPC’s stepping stones as we listen, trust, and discern together. Step by step, God can build a path that leads us to a broad place. Transitions can lead us to beautiful places, if we follow God’s lead.
Blessings and peace,
Janna