Pastor’s Page

This area of our website highlights some of Judith’s interests and passions. You will find everything from last week’s sermon, favorite web sites and the current Pastor’s Thoughts from the church newsletter. We hope this will help you get to know Judith a little better!

Contents

•   Judith’s Journal from the latest Visitor, our church monthly newsletter.

•   Previous Visitor columns

•   Pray-as-you-go.org    Here you can download podcasts to be listened to later, or listen to these daily devotions on your computer. They are published by the Jesuits of Great Britain and are only about 12 minutes in length. They follow the lectionary readings.

•   Charityfocus.org   You can subscribe to have these uplifting real life stories emailed to you daily. They are from a multitude of sources.

•   Unfoldinglight@hotmail.com    You can subscribe to Pastor Steve’s daily reflections as he walks the woods in New Hampshire.

•   Real Live Preacher is also a fun blog to follow. The writer is a Baptist pastor in Texas who sees his life and church in a unique way. Christian Century Magazine publishes some of his articles.

•   Religious Alliance in Nevada (R.A.I.N.)

•   A Progressive Church—Who We Are

•   Sermons on line

•   Words for meditation

August 2010

As you can tell from the Sunday schedule for August, I will be taking some vacation time away. My second grandchild is due on August 15 and I hope to be there for the birth. I also have reservations to stay in a dog-friendly lodge in Nevada City for 2 nights after the birth. I hope you are finding/taking time for renewal this summer as well!

As I reflect on my first year as your pastor I have to admit that it’s been one of the most memorable of my career. Little did I know when I preached my first sermon “See, I Am Doing a New Thing” how many new things would occur. I guess it’s kind of like “be careful what you pray for!” I was very touched by the lovely planted ceramic container on the anniversary of my appointment. Thank you!

It took several months to get settled in the parsonage because of all the repairs and painting taking place, but it was worth the wait as the house has been restored to its place in the lovely historical neighborhood. I hope you will come by and see it at the Open House on September 19!

We have had changes in the office staff and children and youth ministries, the latter twice! I am confident that we are building a great team that will help grow a stronger church in the second half of 2010 and into the future! I am grateful that my back surgery was successful although it was frustrating to lose momentum for three months in one’s first year in a new appointment. The “Serenity Prayer” became my mantra. We continue to make changes in the bookkeeping system for church finances that is easier to use and access. All of these things take time and patience. I am really grateful for the numerous volunteers who have stepped in to help during staff surgeries, retirements and resignations. You are amazing!

As we reflect on my first year at Reno First we can celebrate that our Stephen Ministry is up and functioning again. A Grief Share Group met to support many who had losses before the holidays. By making changes in our wedding policies we are averaging two weddings a month and I am meeting many young couples who have attended worship and who are interested in a young couple’s support group. And finally, as we begin our second year together the Wednesday evening programs have exceeded our wildest dreams with about 50 adults in worship and classes during the week. Our new “band” is doing a great job of teaching new songs from “The Faith We Sing.”

May God continue to bless us in the place along the River.

Faithfully, Judith

209 West First Street  ●  Reno, Nevada 89501  ●  Telephone (775) 322-4564  ●  FAX (775) 322-0285

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