Message from the Pastor

 

 

 

 

 

I Greet You in the Name of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ,

 

In this my first communication to the Brooks family in the newsletter I want to first on behalf of Aleta, JT and myself thank you for your gracious welcome of our family. Thank you for the food, of all kinds, which greeted us at the parsonage and also your in person and telephone expressions of welcome and support.

 

I want to express our appreciation to the leadership of the church for housing us in a hotel for two nights when we unexpectedly learned that our furniture would not arrive on the appointed day of Friday, June 30. Again, to the leadership for thoughtfully postponing the after worship welcoming so that our family could be at the house to give directions when the movers arrived on Sunday afternoon July 2.

 

Now just some brief personal notes:

 

1.                  If you are wondering how I like to be addressed, Pastor, Pastor John or Pastor Simmons is my preference. (Pastor, denoting my shepherding role as both, your spiritual and organizational leader). Reverend, Reverend Simmons or Rev. is also appropriate. (Reverend is a title associated with clergy ordination.).

                      

2.                  I am a type two (adult onset) diabetic. I control this condition through diet, pills and exercise. SO, when I do not take that piece of cake or the fruit punch or sweet tea, etc. which you offer me, know that it is not because I don’t like you or are rejecting you but because I have taken control of my diabetic condition. I give thanks to God that through life style changes, I have over the last twelve years successfully dealt with this condition. I ask that you, my Brooks’ church family, partner with me to continue this success.

 

3.                  Names are my Achilles’ heel. I can know your name, have just said your name in speaking with you, and in the next instant your name is a blank. I do not know why this happens with me but it does. If I am meeting you for the first or second time, please give me your name slowly and make sure that I have heard it correctly. Please be patient as I learn and remember all of your names.

 

4.                  I believe that God has brought us together for the mission of Jesus Christ in this place during this time. I look forward to our journey together and the unfolding of God’s future for us all.