ByGeorge
Most edibles these days have a “best by” date.  An expired item isn’t necessarily unusable, but it may not look or taste as it was intended.  These labeled dates are helpful:  expired milk - needs to go, expired can of vegetables - probably ok, expired honey or fruitcake – honey never goes bad and why are you keeping fruitcake anyway?

We, as a church, have hundreds of resources, traditions, and practices, and none of them have a “best by” date.  Since it worked once (or we thought it worked) we are reluctant to get rid of it.  Along with wonderful traditions, efficient equipment, and helpful practices, we have some closets stocked with now sad looking decorations, old books that no one is going to read, and miscellaneous pieces of electronics from the last fifty years – not really in the way of anything, just taking up a bit of space.  However, when traditions and practices involve people, we need to be a bit more careful, and we need to have permission to let go of what isn’t helpful anymore. 

Part of my responsibly to you is to make sure all is as “up to date” as possible for the next minister.  As we get into our self-study later this year, we will certainly be looking at all aspects of ministry and rightfully demanding effectiveness in what we continue to support.

For now, you can help me with a more mundane task – getting the church directory updated.  I’ve discovered many of your “preferred numbers” to call are land lines that you longer have.  We are passing around current directories in Sunday school and before worship for you to check and update if needed.  You may also call or email the church office with updated info.