Reflection 

 

 Dear <<Name>>          
     I want to thank you for allowing me to take my first sabbatical in over 20 years of ministry. I know many pastors and friends have told me over and over; “You need to take a sabbatical”. I kept putting it off until now. This Sunday we will celebrate my sabbatical leave together at the Dunk and Dine. I will be gone until Sunday August 20th and I hope we will celebrate that Sunday when I get back too! 

Let me share with you a bit of my history in case you don't know how and when I began my ministry journey. I started attending MCC back in April of 1989. A year later I became a deacon and served under Rev Elder Freda Smith at River City MCC in Sacramento. In 1992 I began the spiritual journey work of becoming clergy. I went back to school, studied, worked and learned.  I was licensed to practice in 1995 and I was ordained in September of 1996 by Rev Elder Freda Smith and Rev Elder Troy Perry. 
 
These years have really flown by and I can’t believe it has been 28 years since I stepped foot in MCC and 22 years of professional ministry. I am most thankful to God for Marilyn who has been on this journey with me, many times she bears the load as an unsung hero. I am thankful too, for the tremendous people God has surrounded me with. Ministry doesn’t happen in a vacuum but it happens because people step up, people serve, people make sacrifices, people hear and  understand the calling of God and answer the calling. People like you, all of you who have served and are serving at Valley Ministries make a difference. Over the years there have been many sacrifices made by people who believe in the ministry we are doing.  I know there are currently people making sacrifices to give and serve and I am thankful beyond measure. They say it takes a village to raise a child and I  believe it also takes a village to raise a church!   
 
While I am gone you will be in good hands! After all Jesus is the head of our church and there is nothing God can’t do! But in addition to that Rev Dave Bennett will be with you and he is highly qualified. He is a retired pastor, district superintendent, and bishop of the Methodist Church.  One Sunday there will be a powerful music service and another Sunday Rev Amiee will be with you. Rev Amiee is a newly ordained MCC minister who comes to us from Many Journeys in San Mateo. I know for a fact she will challenge you to think and live beyond what you are comfortable with!

I am hopeful and I know God is faithful and will bring more people to our village to help us in our mission. Now more than ever, every leader must be willing to mentor others and share the ministry God has given. I believe we must move beyond what is comfortable for us and allow God to work in us. That requires us being open and allowing God’s light to shine in our actions, in our service, and in fulfilling our call of God in how we live. Each life can make a difference because we all bring with us different gifts. I know most of you understand this; but just in case I wanted to remind you that you matter, you can be a difference maker!

I covet your prayers. I ask for your support and service. I ask for your continued support in giving of your time or your talent and of your treasure.  I ask for you to support those who are taking on extra tasks. I ask that you might also be of service by doing something extra or doing something new.  I want to thank those of you who have pushed me to take a sabbatical you know how much I've needed it.  I thank those of you who believe our church is ready to take some amazing steps. I believe with you because I believe in our mission:
 
Valley Ministries MCC is an inclusive church -- loving God and serving God's diverse people.
•  Encouraging everyone in their spiritual journey
•  Empowering all to use their spiritual gifts
•  Promoting justice and compassion

• Let me encourage you to find out what your gifts are by going to our web page and taking the spiritual gift inventory.
• Let me encourage you to use your gifts in a constructive way that will not only empower others but will bring joy to your life!
• Let us be empowered to share that spiritual fervor with others and grow our community of faith!

It is my hope when I come back from sabbatical that we will have more people worshiping and serving with us than ever before! It is my hope that everything we currently do will be done better than ever! It is my hope that you will see God working in ways you never dreamed possible … God is with us in all ways and always.
In Christ's love
 -- Rev Terri

 Valley Ministries Purpose