It is hard to believe that my family and I have been here for five weeks now!  As I reflect on the last six months, I'm keenly aware of the ways in which God was preparing us all for the journey ahead.  I remember sitting on zoom calls with the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) back in early 2022 and thinking about the loveliness of the committee and their impressive stamina for finding the right fit for FPC.  After visiting Madisonville and engaging in challenging growth conversations, I knew that God was pointing me to FPC.  Rich and I prayed; our family prayed.  The call was made clear to me, affirmed by Rich, and confirmed by the Holy Spirit through the PNC.

We are so grateful to this faithful community for letting us put our things in the manse before the congregational vote which is not the typical process.  Due to committee date changes at the Presbytery level, the meeting of the congregation happened a bit later than we anticipated.  As some of you know, we had to sell our Little Rock house, get a quote and schedule movers, and move out while I was out of town fulfilling an obligation to Montreat Youth Conferences in Montreat, North Carolina.  The movers quote depended on the dates of relocation.  Pushing forward by even a few weeks was a difference of tens of thousands of dollars!!  Crazy!  For boxes to arrive early meant we were going out on faith and trusting God's call!  We knew that if necessary, we would pay the extra amount and move all the boxes out.  My constant prayer was and is for God to lead and for me to have the faith to follow.

I am ready for this journey.  I have served over 20 years in churches with a wide range of political and theological views.  I enjoy getting more people involved.  I value tradition.  I also love trying new things as we grow in faith and as a community.  I won't be perfect.  I may frustrate you and encourage hard conversations.  The same is true for me.  Someone is going to gossip or fail to hear one another and it may have challenging moments.  But, we are family now.  I love you and I hope you will grow to love me (if you haven't already ☺).  Let's do this!  God is ready.  I am ready.  My family is ready.  Are you?

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."  Hebrews 11:1

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Jen