March 2023 Pastoral Letter

Dear Friends,

Serving as a transitional pastor for CPCBA was not even a blip on my radar when Jean Henderson and I filled in for Donna during her sabbatical last summer. Now it seems like God was preparing me, not only for a return to congregational ministry, but also for service to you in this interim time as you prepare and search for a new pastor.

 I couldn’t be happier to be here!

 What I have observed about this church over the past decade as neighbor, substitute preacher, consultant, sabbatical pastor and, now, as a transitional pastor, is that you are a congregation with so many astounding gifts, and a strong commitment to use those gifts for the sake of Christ’s mission in your community and places beyond.

 That generous spirit is beautifully articulated in your invitation:

 Come just as you are...
     Jesus seeks to be in relationship with everyone.  So do we.  Really--everyone!

Find the joy and inspiration you seek...
     Jesus knows we all need more peace and joy.  We work hard to make it happen here.

Become the person you were created to be....
     Jesus calls us to walk with him.  That means:  growing in faith, going in love.  

 As we move through this interim period together, keep that invitation in front of you. Believe that by living into this promise of radical welcome, joy, peace, and love, you are being deeply faithful to your mission of “Bringing Christ to the community and the community to Christ.”

 In the meantime, I hope you will fully engage in the many opportunities this month for Lenten worship, study, fellowship and prayer, both here at the church, online, and by engaging in spiritual practices and reflection at home. Our Lenten theme this year is, “Seeking: Honest Questions For A Deeper Faith.”  Sometimes it is very difficult to sit with big questions – about faith, about life, about death, about the future – yet we are called as people of faith to trust in the slow work of God. It can be frustrating, sometimes excruciating to wait, I know.

 This excerpt from a poem by Rev. Sarah Speed from Sanctified Art is my promise to you:

 if you think you’ve lost God,
if it feels like heaven has slipped through the cracks,
if you feel like the night will never end,
then know, there is no hide-and-seek with the divine
that doesn’t end in you being found.
Stay still.
Keep breathing.
God is closer than you think.

Rev. Susan Rothenberg