Farewell Pastor Manda

As you have all hopefully now heard (from her letter to the congregation or her announcement in church on Sunday), Pastor Manda has answered a call to serve as the Assistant to the new Bishop of our synod. Her last day at CGS will be July 4, and I know we’re really going to miss her, but we also know that she is following an incredible opportunity to use her gifts in a new and exciting way, and for that we are thankful!

This will be a big time of transition for our Congregation, but it will also be an important time of reflection and discernment for us. Soon we will begin that process, but not right now. Right now we want to focus on saying goodbye to Pastor Manda. I have really appreciated her passion for our ministries and serving the community, her ability to see our individual gifts and pull us out of our shells (I’m looking at you, fellow introverts!), and so much more.

Fortunately, we have the ability to say goodbye in person! We would love to see all of you at the events and worship services between now and July 4 so that we can reflect collectively on what an incredible blessing Pastor Manda has been to our congregation. Also, as the state re-opens, we will continue to evolve our policies for in-person worship and gatherings. Please watch for announcements and reach out to Council or Aline in the Church Office with any questions you have.

It has been an incredibly challenging year for us all, and the year ahead will bring new challenges for us as a community. But I have so much confidence in our Congregation and Council to continue using these challenges as opportunities to grow stronger together, and renew our commitment to proclaim, welcome, and serve.

Rachel Visscher