Tuesday I began a new call as pastor/teaching elder at University Presbyterian Church in Tempe, AZ. In their bulletin they describe themselves as an intentionally “open and affirming community” where “all are welcome.” It is refreshing! But, it is still a congregation in transition, as so many are these days. They have been without an installed minister for three years, having been served admirably and faithfully by two interim ministers. The congregation is ready to “start moving again”, as one person told me.
My family and I attended worship the past two Sundays just to get a taste of things before I officially started on Tuesday. It was a nice way to ease in to the space. The past two days have been a hurried tangle of trying to get my office situated (occupational hazard: lots and lots and lots of books—and, yes, I blame the occupation and [...]