Archive for January, 2012

Rev. Acheson’s February Message

This message comes from our February newsletter. Click here to read the whole thing.

Dear Friends,

As the calendar turns to February, I want to let you know of some changes for Greensboro Church coming our way in the next few weeks.

First, we have accepted, with regret, the resignation of Cassandra Brush as our Church Secretary. Cassandra has served us for about 4 years now and has done an excellent job serving the church’s office. I am particularly appreciative of the way Cass has helped us make major advances in our digital and online capabilities. She has ably learned and performed the skills needed to maintain our webpage; helped transition us to a greater focus on digital delivery of our Newsletter; and established a Facebook Page for the church, which has become a good new tool for highlighting our profile in the area. She has also done a great job providing publicity to more traditional media outlets to let people know about our church’s events. She will be completing her work with us near the end of February. Thank you very much, Cass, for all you have done for us, and we wish you the best in your next endeavors.

Although Cass’ moving on will be a loss to us, I am pleased to let you know that Bronwyn Masse has agreed to assume our Church Secretary position. Bronwyn will be retiring on February 3 from the long-standing full-time position at the Vermont Chamber of Commerce as an administrative assistant. But given the part-time nature of our needs (15 hr./week,)  and after taking a break of several weeks, she has agreed to work with us at least through my sabbatical, and also quite possibly on a more long-term basis, starting near the end of February.

We’ll have more details to announce in the March Newsletter regarding the specific dates of this transition, the new office hours, etc. But in the meantime, thanks to both Cassandra and Bronwyn for their past and future good services to this church.

Anthony

Feb. 18 is Cabin Fever Follies!

Don’t miss our annual Cabin Fever Follies, held this year on Saturday, February 18. As usual, we will start the night with a potluck at 6 p.m. and the talent will begin at 7 p.m. Contact the church office at 533-2223 if you would like to perform. (Performances need to be kept to 3 - 5 minutes). Thanks for understanding!

Growing Stronger in 2012

Our senior weight lifting program “Growing Stronger” continues into 2012 every Monday and Wednsday at 10 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. Join us!

Board of Deacons Meets Jan. 5

The Board of Deacons will meet on Thursday, January 5, at 4 p.m. in the Church Library.

Mission Board Meets Jan. 4

The Mission Board will meet at 4:30 p.m. in the church library.

January 2012 Newsletter Message from Rev. Anthony Acheson

Her is Rev. Acheson’s January message. Click here to see the entire January 2012 newsletter.

Dear Friends,

Although the shift from one year to another may be an arbitrary date on a calendar, the start of a new year is a powerful symbol to us of some of the most important things in our lives. Change, loss and the passing of time are among those elements. But so are hope and the emergence of new possibilities. Part of the offering of the spiritual life is to be proactive in learning how to frame change and impermanence through an attitudinal lens of seeing both as holding the potential for growth and opportunity.

As I think ahead about 2012 one of the major changes and opportunities for me – and I hope for the church as well – will be the sabbatical I am planning on taking for three months in the Spring. Late last summer I approached the Deacons with the request for a sabbatical in 2012. (Our denomination encourages its churches and pastors to arrange sabbaticals after five-year terms of service. My last sabbatical ended just five years ago, in December of 2006.) The Deacons and other church leaders have supported that proposal for which I am deeply grateful. I am particularly grateful to the Pleasants Fund for providing a grant of $2500 toward the part-time pastoral coverage that is an integral part of the plan for this time away.

The sabbatical will run from the 7th of March through the 7th of June. During my absence, our own Sonia Dunbar will be providing that part-time pastoral coverage I mentioned (on average for 10 hours per week.) Sonia will fill the pulpit for about half of the Sundays. The Rev. Alden Launer will lead worship for the three communion Sundays, and some of the other Sundays will be covered by members of the congregation. Sonia will also be available for emergency pastoral needs as well as overseeing the workings of the office and committees.

For myself, I am seeing this sabbatical as a chance, first, for some R&R. And I also look forward to being able to get some concentrated time on my next creative project, involving the publication of some of my sermons and other writing I have done since coming to the Greensboro Church.

We will be filling you in on more details as we get closer to the time. And may we all look forward to a rich and fulfilling year for ourselves and for the whole church in 2012.

Anthony

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