When Old Is New Again
It really wasn’t even a decision, really. It was more of a collective, family lightbulb moment. Take Cathryn back to Annapolis Christian Academy. Not “send” her back. Not “let her go” back. Take her back. Through all of this mess with the church… the pain Ken and I have felt, the struggle to wrap our brains around the loss… she’s felt it too. It was a death to her, too. She lost a friend in Tricia, too. She saw someone she trusted do the wrong thing, and then ignore her. Her pastor, no less. It was a rough lesson to learn at a young age. Lesser kids might have abandoned their walk with God. She didn’t. But slowly she became less and less herself. Less and less “Cat” – the sparkly, bubbly,...
Read MoreComing Back Up For Air
And just like that. It was all over. We haven’t stepped back into Port Aransas Community Presbyterian Church since that awful Sunday abortion of a congregational meeting. No one in any official capacity has called. No one has prayed with us, or for us. Not one word, except for the “fired by Fedex” letter. It’s been 5 weeks tomorrow. Shun on. And yet, life has gone on. Spectacularly, in fact. Don’t get me wrong – we grieve. We grieve the loss the safety net of a church family and spiritual home. We grieve the fact that the church isn’t required to pay unemployment and he was fired months short of his pension being vested, which means he was left with nothing. No money. No official goodbye. No thank you. No lunch to bless...
Read MoreIndecently, and Out of Order
Dearest Friends, We must never lose sight of why we were all fighting so hard. As one of my wise friends said, “I’m proud of you – those kids represented the hill you were willing to die on… and you died on it spectacularly.” There have been many hurt feelings. Those that dissented, as well as those who voted in favor felt they had no other recourse, and for that I am sorry. The firestorm of shouting, from the pulpit no less, and the lack of order or decency at the Annual Meeting only served to prove that there wasn’t a true discussion possible and no one “on that side” was looking for solutions, only justification. Personally, I believe this congregation will not heal until it’s true pastor is called and...
Read MoreIf The Fish Stinks, It’s From The Head
1-27-2012 Dear Friends, Below is an excerpt from an email I sent last night to our Session. It is important to note that in all communication here, and on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter – the opinions and suggestions are mine. I accept full responsibility for them, and their tone and intent. If there are any factual errors I will be happy to correct them. I sincerely believe this is an opportunity for us to come together as a congregation and fix this mess. I, and others, are deeply disappointed in the process by which this has happened, and the fact that after many, many people stood and voiced their support on Sunday, and pledged to help, the vote was still carried out, in haste, and in relative secret, disregarding them completely. I have had a...
Read MoreA Few Pertinent Questions and Answers
1-24-2012 Dear Friends, Yesterday I posted an update and a plea concerning the urgent situation at Community Presbyterian Church. I spoke with DOZENS of people during the day, on the phone, via text message, via email, Facebook, Twitter and Google+. That’s the beauty of social media. It seems that I answered virtually the same questions over and over, and it solidified the fact that there is SO MUCH MISINFORMATION out there. Let me address a few questions: I was told the Youth Budget isn’t being CUT, it’s being REORGANIZED – is that true? The budget eliminates the full-time Youth Director position whose salary comes from our General Fund, and leaves in place special Youth Fund. I have not been able to determine what that fund will be for,...
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