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Sabbatical 2008 Committee members
are (front, left-right): Pastor Peg Nowling, Reta Bowman, Judy Becker,
Lois
Goodrick. (Back, left-right): Rod Zambrows, Jim Grubb, Sylvia Mohler, Jake
Atkinson, Harry Mohler. (Inset): Faith Huffman.
Plans taking shape for First Baptist Church’s 2008 Sabbatical
As intended benefits for our pastor and our congregation at First Baptist
Church, we plan to become “better followers of Jesus by planning to study,
celebrate and worship.” The congregation stated in the Lilly grant proposal
that it plans to “use this time for our own renewal and finding new energy
by focusing on specific areas of transformation.”
The Sabbatical 2008 Committee (made up of members from the Pastoral
Relations Committee, Equipping Church Group, Pastor Peg Nowling and Rod
Zambrows, Minister of Adult and Families) has been meeting monthly to
implement First Baptist Church’s plan to “become better followers of Jesus.”
We have contacted three “specialists” to lead us in three week-end workshops
and a retreat in the three months that Pastor Peg is away. Rev. Gary Reif
has accepted the part-time position as interim during this time, and will be
overseeing the administrative and pastoral care needs, worship preparation
and normal administrative duties. We will have two guest ministers, and lay
ministers from our congregation to fill in the other Sundays.
In addition to the specialists and speakers, small groups will meet after
the specialists/workshops to discuss new ideas, information and insights.
The congregation will take part in a “One Great Read” by reading
The Secret Message of Jesus,
by
Brian McLaren. The Sunday School hour will be used to discuss what the
congregation has read.
A send-off celebration and a catered luncheon for a
“joyful and energetic reunion” are also part of the
Sabbatical 2008! The Sabbatical Committee plans and
prays for your participation in these activities so that First Baptist
Church can fulfill its mission, and so that you will be blessed with a
transformational experience that “makes your heart sing!”
