Preparing a Place

By Carol Brown

Director of Administration

In these final days before the much-anticipated arrival of our new pastors, Caitlin and Ethan Brown, we have been scurrying around the offices and hallways of the church, planning, preparing, and doing all manner of things to provide a welcoming space for our new ministers. The pastors’ offices have been freshly painted, furniture has been updated with new upholstery, and copies have been printed of all the important documents that will help them learn about the workings of our church.
 
I’ve tried to describe these days of anticipation but nothing seems exactly right. It’s kind of like cleaning and sprucing up a house for the arrival of guests…but Caitlin and Ethan will not be guests, they will be family. It’s kind of like nesting in anticipation of a new baby…but Caitlin and Ethan will not need us to parent them but to walk alongside them in ministry. It’s kind of like the excitement of waiting for Christmas morning…but Caitlin and Ethan’s presence will not be a bright, shiny gift to unwrap and just set aside. Caitlin and Ethan will lead us, and minister with us, revealing their strengths, their compassion, and their gifts in the days and months to come.
 
These tangible signs of preparation are not the only steps that we have taken. As we have waited for the arrival of our new pastors during the last nine weeks—and as we sought God’s guidance in the selection of our new pastors over the last two years—our congregation has been changing, growing, and becoming a new church. As we have healed, we have become more humble, more compassionate, and more ready to embrace a new way of ministry.
 
How are you preparing to welcome Caitlin and Ethan? Are you ready to share the warmth of HHBC’s hospitality? Are you ready to serve and minister in new ways? Are you ready to embrace new ideas with enthusiasm? As we open our arms to welcome Caitlin, Ethan, and Basil into the HHBC family, my prayer is that we will also open our hearts to listen to God’s voice and respond to God’s nudging so that we can grow together into the church that God envisions us to be.