Dear Friends,
Another Greensboro summer is almost upon us. On Memorial Day weekend it was good to see several of you I haven’t seen since last fall, and those reintroductions will be accelerating in the days ahead. If you are part of our summer flock, welcome back. [We'd also like to ask those returning to Greensboro for the season to please let Cassandra know right away that you have returned, so that she can make sure the church's mailings go to your summer address. And on one more practical note, if any church members have an event they would like to take place in the church this summer, please also let Cass know right away so she can put it on the schedule].
Speaking of our schedule, one of the happiest events that will take place here this summer will be the ordination of our own Rhonda Myers. Rhonda will be ordained into the Christian ministry in our sanctuary on Sunday, June 21. The service will begin at 4:00 pm and will be followed by a reception supper in the church’s Fellowship Hall.
For me personally, Rhonda’s progress over these past several years has been a wonderful thing to watch and follow. I remember well our early conversations about her sense of a possible call to ministry; her exploration of seminary options, balanced out by her awareness of the challenges of cost and time. But the call she heard was more powerful than the obstacles she faced, and on the 21st we will have the chance to share in the successful accomplishment of this first leg of her journey.
Since those early conversations, Rhonda has covered a lot of ground. She earned her Master of Divinity degree from Andover Newton Theological School (Newton Centre, MA) in May of 2008 after four years of part-time study. She successfully presented and defended her ordination paper at an Ecclesiastical Council representing the UCC churches in Northeastern Vermont in June of 2008. And on May 17, 2009, the members of the United Congregational Church UCC in Torrington, Connecticut voted to call her as their new pastor. She will begin there in early June.
Although it is sad to be losing Rhonda as an active, weekly member of our community, I believe she is in the process of becoming an outstanding minister. I hope you will make it a priority to come and celebrate this wonderful milestone for both Rhonda, and us as a church, on June 21.
Your Pastor,
Tony Acheson
