Interim Navigations

One of the many wonderful things about Fredericksburg is the Rappahannock River that runs through the area. I never tire of seeing its ebbs and flows, the sand bars and the mighty rocks and tree debris, the waterfowl and the people who walk and jog beside it and, in warmer days, wade, raft, and paddleboard in it. It is the longest free-flowing river in the eastern United States, running approximately 184 miles.

One website offers this advice: “Although the river is very beautiful and seems calm and serene in most places, it can be very dangerous for those who enter it unprepared and without a life jacket. Educate yourself on river safety and you and those who join you will be able to enjoy it safely for a lifetime.”

Maybe I should issue such a warning to churches navigating interim waters! There are things that remain serene and flowing as usual in a congregation’s life and ministry, and there are obstacles and impediments and yes, hidden blessings, too—sending us in unexpected directions! The interim time is for educating ourselves about the current conditions and looking ahead, too, scouting out what needs our attention to navigate forward strategically and well. Our life jackets for this journey include prayer, good will, patience, hope, faith, love, and a sense of humor.

Every month around the 15^th you will receive an Interim Pastor Message updating you on interim work that is underway. You may also visit a new tab on our Church Website and click on Pastoral Transition Updates. Visit it to read:

·     the priorities the Session outlined for me in my contract,

·     a description of this interim process from the Presbytery of the James, and

·     to view a couple of examples of timeline graphics for interim work.

Though it may seem like the interim waters have been still, they have in fact been flowing:

1. Getting to Know You:

My first Sunday with you was October 9, 2022. The intense work of the first 2-3 months of any interim involves getting to know you and letting you get to know me. Regular worship and preaching, pastoral care visits, staff meetings, Session and Deacon and committee work, conversations at the gate, by the back door, and after meetings—these are the ways we come to know each other and discern areas that need attention and work. In these first few months, a relationship of trust builds for deeper work to come. Thanks to all of you who have given me a chance to be your pastor.

2. Finances and Stewardship:

An early priority was to work quickly and intentionally with the Finance and Stewardship Committees on a Stewardship Pledge effort. While a letter asking for pledges went out in 2020, there had been no formal campaign in 2021. We needed to get back on track. Since November/December, we have begun a “deep dive” to analyze our giving patterns and financial capacity. More work is needed for a full analysis, so expect to hear more in this critical area of our life together.

3. Membership Rolls:

The Ministry Information Form that was used to call me as your Interim Pastor stated that you have a membership of 984. Within a couple of weeks on board, I could see that this number was not accurate. The membership rolls have not undergone a major review in many years. In December, I began work with a small group to review the church rolls. Bruce Harvey, Tom Theado, and Sharon Humes have taken on this huge task to help the Session reach out to many people.

4. A Congregational Survey:

A team of seven members has begun work to present a Congregational Survey in February/March. We want all members of the church to take this survey. Watch for news updates in the coming few weeks! Members assisting with this effort are: Jim Toler, Heather Eland, Robert Fidler, Betsy Lewis, Tom Wimberly, Rachel Statler, and Barb LeRoy. This effective survey, administered by Holy Cow Consulting, will give you a chance to offer candid and constructive input as we discern congregational priorities and commitments.

For many of you, the big question is “When will we elect a Pastor Nominating Committee and begin searching for our next pastor?” May seems like a good target date for that, some of the basic congregational assessment described above is essential to complete. Thank you for supporting the church as we navigate these interim waters together.

Grace and peace, Kim