President's Message for July

Dear Friends,

Because Chalice follows the fiscal year, our new year begins on July 1st. One way we transition into this New Year is with new leadership on the Board. These new leaders bring fresh ideas and renewed energy to our already energized congregation. As we welcome our new board members we need to say good-bye and thank you to those whose service on the Board is ending. It is not really a “good-bye” since we know they already serve in other areas of church leadership. Thank you John Schulz past president, Andi Stout treasurer, Deb Coon Board member, for your ideas, time and energy. We will miss you. And welcome to Jim Idell vice president and president elect, Jo Lindstrom treasurer, and our new trustees, Callie Leef and Anne McKeirnan.

The continuing board members are me, Deb Hall, president, Al Weiss past president, Patty Carlisle secretary, and trustees Gary Cagle, Rob Molek, Michele Nelson and Ralph Peters. All of us, together, will oversee the business of Chalice for the upcoming year.

Now you might think that the Board is the most important group in the church. After all, it is “the Board.” And while, yes, it is important, it is no more or less important than any of the committees or groups that exist within Chalice. It is our collective energy and ideas that fuel Chalice. We really and truly would not be who we are or where we are without each and every one of us.

This past year has been phenomenal. Our committees have matured from being totally inward looking to being just as concerned about outreach as inreach. With our transition from a pastoral to a program size congregation, we have chosen to become a teaching congregation with the addition of David Miller, our ministerial intern turned summer minister. His energy and gifts have brought added spice to Chalice along with a supportive ministerial presence. And because of Edith Gordon’s, vision we now have a Pastoral Care Team to aid and support our ministers and provide pastoral care to those among us who need it. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who made 2006-07 such a successful year.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to see how this upcoming year unfolds!

Yours in the Faith We Share,

Debbie