Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Happy Epiphany – the season of light! As we begin the year 2020 it seems easy to make jokes about seeing clearly and having new perspective. 2020 vision is considered perfect! So as the new year begins what visions do you see clearly for yourself, your family, and your faith community? Conversely, what is still out of focus, or could use refocus?

I find that I’m much better at asking questions than answering them, especially in the past four and half months since my daughter Anna entered the world. Things that used to seem really important are less important and instead I find myself refocusing my vision on both what is immediately important and cannot be ignored (feeding a hungry baby or changing a dirty diaper) and longer term wonderings about the future. What will the world, community and church be like as Anna grows up? When I stretch this thinking further out, I wonder what choices are we making today to help ensure that all of God’s children can grow and thrive for the future?

At this start of 2020, we stand on the threshold of infinite possibilities. I see this made visible as I look at my daughter who has already grown and changed so much in such a short time. I see this for our church, which has set out on a wonderful journey with our Capital Campaign this fall and will begin to see the results of all of this hard work as building projects happen in the coming year. I see this in our Confirmands who are growing in faith through service and learning. I see this in the two families in Nosara, Costa Rica who will soon have new homes built by our mission team in February!

Before we move into 2020, I’d also like to look back at the past four and half months and say a heartfelt thank you for the time, prayers, support and love you have shown to my family during parental leave. I am especially grateful for the flexibility of the congregation in August and early September. As you may recall, we had a rough start with Anna’s early arrival and subsequent three week NICU stay at UVM Hospital. Though the first few weeks were very challenging, Anna now weighs almost 12.5 pounds and is thriving! Already she has traveled to Maine, Ohio and Indiana, and New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania to meet family and friends. Additionally, thank you for welcoming Neal and Carolyn Sadler to the RCC family as well as welcoming Neal to the pulpit. It’s been fabulous to have them in Vermont this fall and they will be sorely missed as they return to Ohio.

As the new year begins, I look forward to reconnecting with you all. I will return to the office on January 2, 2020. Now through June, I will be working 2/3 time on Tuesdays (with Anna), Thursdays, Fridays and leading worship three Sundays a month. I will focus on Sunday worship preparation, Pastoral Care and Confirmation. If you’d like to meet with me, scheduling an appointment is best. You can contact me directly through email or call the church office. Throughout the spring, Pastoral Relations and I will evaluate how things are working. My hope and intention is to return to full time ministry in July. Pastoral Relations and I welcome your feedback and thank you in advance for your patience and assistance in filling in the gaps. A thank you in advance to our very own Rev. Doug Wysockey-Johnson, who will lead worship once a month.

In the coming year, may God bless us all with clear vision and the ability to focus on what is most important. May God’s love grow in ways we can only begin to imagine. May God’s peace reign in our hearts and in the world.

With Peace,
Katelyn

We need your help!