A new year brings new things.  I wonder what you hope for in 2010? Are you someone who likes to set goals and resolutions for the year? Or has maybe enough missed resolutions dampened your enthusiasm? A good friend of mine went through a health-scare last year, and since his recovery he has found “new resolve” to accomplish things that just sat on the back burners of his life over the years. I like that! I’m going to do the same—for me that means more exercise, more reflection time, and more planned activities with family.

As I write this blog entry, I sit at my hotel desk in Greensboro, North Carolina. I was here one year ago for the Anglican Mission Winter Conference, and much has changed in the last year! Good progress was made and many goals achieved. I look forward to another fruitful year—- working to enhance men’s ministries, developing leaders, and adding newcomers to our community.  I think we’ll have an exciting year!

We have had several new and “newsy” things occur already. First, we have had great news for Tracy Edwards’ family. Tracy was my assistant for the last half of 2009. She was offered more hours and medical benefits by her other part-time employer, so our loss is her gain. We rejoice with Tracy and her family for God’s provision for them. We were blessed by her time with us in many ways! Tracy created the layout for our new bulletin and eNewsletter, and she helped with the new website project, among more noticeable efforts. She also helped bring better organization to my workflow and to the office procedures. We will miss her and thank God for her time with us.

This change also brings a new face to the office. Let me introduce Terri Renfro to you! I have previously worked with Terri and she has many years of experience working with churches—she and her husband, Barry, have recently launched a new church called Missio Dei. They have four kids, the youngest in middle school. We work well together and enjoy each other’s company, and even better, she already knows how to use all the software programs and new procedures that Tracy introduced to us.

In more good and exciting news, our landlord agreed to lower our monthly office lease payment by $1,000. The change will take effect beginning April 1 (no kidding!). If we remain in the office all year, the church will save $9,000 over our existing lease. Praise to God!

In one last item to mention, if you have been in worship services with us in December and January, then you have heard me state a new change with regard to worship leaders. We are blessed to have Steve Kritzer and Chris Welkley join us as worship leaders. Steve will be with us twice each month (1st and 3rd Sundays), and Chris will lead on the 4th Sunday monthly and other dates, too. Our team is excited to have them and I know you will love to have them with us. Please welcome them and keep them in your prayers! They come to not serve you so much as to serve God, and that puts them in a spiritual battle. Our parish is on the move again, and I feel the battle in the spiritual realms all the time. They have stepped into that battle, too. Thank you for your fervent prayers.

Until next time, to God be glory and honor and majesty! Amen.