Dear Folks,
We are in the midst of several transitions at Redeemer. Two weeks ago we celebrated the vibrant gifts of Freda Marie and said good-bye to her at a festive coffee hour. Freda Marie has begun her post-parish life, training in grief work that invites individuals to deeply consider their loves and losses. This Sunday we will bid farewell and godspeed to Rebecca, as we give thanks for her transformative leadership with youth and young adults. Join us at any of our services this weekend, and especially at the Parish Picnic after the 10:00 service, which becomes a big party to tell Rebecca good-bye.
And we are also beginning to say hello to new folks and old friends in new roles. As I said a little while ago in the announcements, “Help is on the way!” I am pleased to introduce to you The Rev. Anna Noon, who has joined our team as Director of Children’s Ministries. Anna will lead the work with our youngest children, coordinating the Sunday School program, recruiting and training volunteers, and communicating with families, and help us invigorate our offerings to middle schoolers.
Anna spent twelve years as a sales and program manager in the telecommunication industry before following her call to become an Episcopal priest. She spent over a decade in parish ministry and later served as a missionary in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, where she ministered to international pilgrims walking the Camino. Originally from Kentucky, Anna holds a B.A. in Music from the University of the South, Sewanee, and earned her MDiv from the General Theological Seminary in New York.
I’m not sure we have ever had a priest in the role of Director of Children’s Ministries, so there is much to celebrate that Anna will embody this important work. Stay tuned for how she will bring her training in music and depth of spirituality to Christian education.
Other big news is that Thomasina Wharton, Director of the Center for Wellbeing, will add the role of chaplain to the Parish Day School. “Mother T” has already led her first chapel, and the children were captivated. I am so pleased that Thomasina said “yes” to this broadening of her ministries at Redeemer.
As I write to you, we are in final discussions with a priest who will lead our youth and young adult programs… I look forward to sharing his name soon! And staff members are concluding their interviews with candidates for Barb’s position of Administrative Assistant. Barb will retire in mid-October, and we’ll communicate details of her celebration soon.
Change is hard, and good. Be tender with yourselves as we navigate it. Here are some helpful words from poet Allex Elle. It’s title is Rebirth.
There will be moments when
you will fully bloom and then
wilt, only to bloom again
if we can learn anything from
flowers it is that resilience is born
even when we feel like we are
dying.
Love,
David