From the Interim Pastor

Yearning for Hope
O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant and to the prayers of your servants who delight in revering your name. - Nehemiah 1.11

This fall I will be preaching from the Book of Nehemiah. It concerns a time when the people of God felt their present was discontinuous with their past and wondered about their future. Some were grieving what had been lost; some felt unsure of what to do next; some were trying to remain faithful amid changes surrounding them. Nehemiah steps into that context to bring hope.

During the summer months I have made many contacts at Bloomfield College hoping church and college might partner in ministry to college students. And God is listening: a senior has contacted me about doing an internship at our church. I also have spoken to Todd Shumpert, campus chaplain, and the session about some joint activities-- including a mission trip back to the Gulf region early next year. And can college and high school musicians periodically be invited into our services of worship?

Ministry to families will include a monthly “family night,” the first beginning in the gym at 6:30 PM with a light supper on Friday, September 11. Parents and youth: I would like to know if you would like to join Alan Sledge and me in beginning a confirmation program this fall. Men: While the women have a fellowship that includes three circles, Elder Desmond Wedderburn and I would like to invite our men into fellowship and service. At least five men have expressed interest to me; there may be others. Call the church office so we may contact you when we begin.

The building has been humming this summer with many needed repairs to make it more useable. In September the architect and engineer will bring recommendations based on their summer-long study of our 1796 sanctuary. Our treasurer and bookkeeper have dutifully rebuilt our financial accounting system. Our endowments and bequests carry us for the moment past our pledged contributions. This fall Fred Chichester will be directing our attention toward the mission priorities this congregation wants to support with their time, talent and treasure.

In the meantime, we keep feeding the hungry, helping those who need to be clothed, and provide ministries of recovery through Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous programs. Thank you for others you reach in your neighborhoods and workplaces.

For those who have been away from church, come home. I have yet to meet all on our membership roles, though I am still trying. It’s time to consider how each of us, as part of this body of Christ, can help one another to become a healthy body, a loving and welcoming Christian community.

Yours in the fellowship of Christ,

The Rev. Robert Foltz-Morrison
Interim Pastor
Bloomfield Presbyterian Church on the Green

Past messages from the Interim Pastor:
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009