People sometimes say they do not like change. The truth is people like the change they want, they do not like the change they do not want.

The parish is about to undergo major changes. Some changes some people will like. Other changes some people will dislike. All the changes we will experience in the coming months are the result of our discernment process that we began with the Truth or Consequences Workshops in the spring. They are changes the Vestry believes express the will of the parish at work in partnership with God.

Major changes begin on September 7.

The first change people will experience is in worship on Sunday. The Vestry responded to some parishioners who wanted to see changes in our traditional worship services. They commissioned a Task Force on Traditional Worship to explore the liturgy and to make recommendations to the Rector.

The Task Force recommended the elimination of the 8:00 AM liturgy. Their hope is to provide more congregational support to the 10:45 AM liturgy as the 8:00 AM congregation shifts their Sabbath worship discipline from 8:00 AM to 10:45 AM.

The Vestry endorsed this recommendation. Although I believe we have a number of parishioners who value an early morning worship opportunity, I accepted this recommendation. I believe the Holy Spirit works among faithful people who gather together in a collaborative process. I have heard from one parish family who plans to leave the parish as a result of this change. They are not angry or resentful about this change. They simply value an early morning worship experience.

Beginning September 7, our parish will have two worship services.

The Task Force recommended the 9:15 AM liturgy be moved to back to 9:00 AM in order to provide longer transition time between services.

Beginning September 7, the Family liturgy will begin at 9:00 AM instead of 9:15 AM. Finally, the Task Force recommended changes in the 10:45 AM liturgy. The Worship Committee will meet next Monday to plan for the implementation of changes in the 10:45 Am liturgy. To see what changes will be made, see the Report of the Task Force on Traditional Liturgy.

Other changes in September may not be experienced on the Sunday mornings, but will be felt throughout the parish.

On September 16, our volunteer Parish Administrator is yielding her position to refocus her energy on the new Welcoming Committee. The Vestry has amended the 2008 Budget to fund a parish receptionist through December 2008. In addition, our Communications Director is yielding his position to the new Communications Committee.

This will change how the parish office works. It will also change the services provided the parish by the parish office. Most significantly for me, it changes the Rector's job description significantly.

Change is hard. I am in the process of redesigning my work as Rector to adapt to the new environment envisioned by the parish. These are exciting days.

In the midst of all these changes, I am moving confidently ahead knowing the Holy Spirit always works in the midst of faithful people.