First Thoughts
David Hull
Pastor

Sunday was a wonderful day for our church. You gave with generosity -- $203,104 was the offering for Sunday! Praise God from whom all blessings flow! You voted with conviction – 87% of 825 votes were in favor of the recommendation to move ahead with a proposed expansion of our facilities. We now take the next steps to prepare for this work that will enhance our buildings for greater ministry use. A beautiful picnic at Ditto Landing provided the fitting ending to a glorious day for the First Family.

Now, let’s look ahead. The days are fast approaching for me to take my sabbatical. Last fall I announced all of the details of my study leave, but it seemed so far away at the time. Let me share the information again so that we all know what is being planned.

Our Personnel Manual provides that the Pastor receives a study leave after every five years of service in the church. In preparation for my sabbatical, I applied for a Clergy Renewal Grant through the Lilly Endowment and our church was awarded one of these grants. Funds are provided for me to travel and also for the church to have excellent guest preachers in my absence.

My sabbatical will extend from May 19 until August 9. A few days of rest with family in North Carolina and an anniversary visit to a former pastorate in South Carolina will allow us to rest up for a trip to Europe. Jane, Emily, and Andrew will accompany me on this sabbatical journey that will provide study opportunities in Oxford and Prague and travel experiences in Germany, Switzerland and Italy.

On Sunday night, May 18, we will have a Sabbatical Sendoff at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. On that occasion Jane and I will share with you more details about our sabbatical plans. In addition, I want to introduce you to the guest preachers who will be coming this summer. We have a wonderful group of outstanding speakers. We will share our hopes and dreams for what we are calling “A Season of Renewal.” We will pray for each other and then say “so long” – but only for a season. Hopefully, it will be a season of renewal for all of us.