July Newsletter Article - Pastor Roy Karlen

Pastor's Pondering:

Well, it's July already!  What a wonderful festive time of the year, we as Americans can't help but love the Fourth of July with all of its picnics and celebrations.  It's a time to reflect on what makes us Americans and why we are so lucky to live in this great Nation of ours.  In a way that reflects well on the sermon, I gave this last Sunday in the Square during our Community Worship for Western Days.  There is a copy of the sermon attached to this newsletter, and yes that's why this is such a big newsletter.  I had a couple of people suggest that the sermon should be included here for those who missed the service in the Square, and so, we added it to this month's news.  I pray that some of you will find it worthwhile.

The sermon has to do with the changes facing us as a Church (note upper-case 'C' on Church, meaning the entire Church not just our church or even just our denomination) in this time in history.  Of course, the change that is first and foremost in the minds of all of us here at Woodlawn is the upcoming merger with First Baptist Church.  Towards that end, we will be having a special congregational meeting on Sunday, July 16th immediately after our Worship Service.

On the 16th, the members of First Baptist Church will join us for worship.  After worship, the two congregations will meet in separate rooms here at Woodlawn.  Both congregations will then vote separately on whether to merge or not.  Provided that both congregations accept the proposal to merge, then the members of both congregations (which will then be one congregation) will vote together on the proposed Bylaws which incorporate the merger.  After all the voting is over, we will then celebrate the merger together by having a Congregational Meal.  This meal has been funded by anonymous donations from members of Woodlawn Christian Church and their generosity is very much appreciated, you are all a great blessing!  Our Membership/Fellowship Team (Roxy, Kim & Gail a/k/a the 'Peas') is planning and preparing this meal so you know it will be a GREAT one!  Heck, why come for the meeting... come for the MEAL!

The proposed new set of Bylaws have been reviewed by the Church Council and the revisions were made by Jim Bruce, Norma DeVries, Mel Alcox, Bill Hungate, and myself.  Copies of these Bylaws are available in the back of the Sanctuary or in the church office.  Also, if you get your newsletter by e-mail there should be a copy of them attached for your review.

Besides the changes needed for the merger, there have been term limits added for the Church and Christian Councils.  The only exception on term limits is the property chair position.  Given that the person holding this chair needs to have a certain set of abilities and knowledge, we decided to not require term limits for this position.  Not everyone in the congregation possesses the skill sets required to be property chair and those revising the Bylaws acknowledged that limitation.

There has also been an addition to the section on becoming a member of the church and some clarifications as to baptism and church membership.  The Bylaws also provide for a period of time when there will temporarily be an additional member on both the Church and Christian Councils.  These two members will come from the congregation of the old First Baptist Church.  Please note that these two positions expire and disappear after the Annual Congregational Meeting in December.  Our church's leadership structure does not change with the ratification of these Bylaws.

If you have any questions about the Bylaws or the merger in general, that you'd like to ask before the meeting, please either get a hold of Mel Alcox or myself.

I will be out of the church from July 8th to July 12th in order to attend the General Assembly along with Jim Bruce.  We're both looking forward to this trip and learning what is going on with other Disciple churches around the USA.  It will be a tiring trip (over 18 hours on the road) but I know it will be invigorating and hopefully, some new insight, knowledge, or connections will come as a result.

While I am in Indianapolis for the General Assemble, Dr. Susan Gillies will be coming to preach on the 9th to both the folks at First Baptist Church and all of you here at Woodlawn Christian Church.  Susan is a friend of mine and she was instrumental in helping me get into the Lay Ministry Program in Nebraska.  She is the past Regional Minister for the American Baptist Church in Nebraska but most recently, on Sunday, July 2nd She will be stepping down as the Interim General Secretary of the American Baptist USA.  We are very honored to have her coming here to Lake City just a few days after she returns home from Portland and the American Baptist USA Mission Summit (their version of our General Assembly).  She will be with us less than a week after stepping down as the Leader of the American Baptist USA, what a thrill to have her doing humble 'pulpit supply' for us. Susan is the sister-in-law of my late mentor Jesse and she along with Jesse has helped to mold me as a minister.  Susan has also been with us before, she was here in 2015 for my installation service; so, please welcome her with open and loving arms to Woodlawn once again.  I only wish that I could be here to hear her sermon.

We have so many exciting things going on right now and I apologize that this 'pondering' has gotten a bit long so, I will cut it off here and leave you with just this thought...

Be a blessing to someone today!
Pastor Roy