SENIOR WARDEN’S LETTER
As I write this I'm feeling slightly jet-lagged
from our trip home from India and Bhutan. Yes,
we had an incredible time with many noteworthy
experiences and sights. Arriving back just in
time for our American celebration of
Thanksgiving was something of a culture shock!
I'll explain as best I can. We were in India
during the several day celebration of "Devali".
This is a celebration of the harvest which
had recently been gathered in. Much of the
Indian continent is farmed, some suffers from
drought. Some land is rich and other parts are
desert. During the festival we made an
impromptu visit to a tobacco farm and were
enthusiastically welcomed to view the harvest. A
short time later we stopped at a small home to
view wonderful designs painted in white lime on
the front wall and on the earthen floors. Only a
portion of this house had a roof, but the warmth
of the mother's smile was tangible as she showed
us her handiwork. The poverty that we saw
became increasingly painful to me. The poverty
was real but so was the joy that children showed
in sharing their English speaking and reading
skills with us.
Good stewardship of the land was very evident
throughout India and Bhutan. Though so many
had so little I saw great stewardship being
practiced. It's pretty humbling to watch someone
carefully sweep a rammed earth floor and to
learn that the small nation of Bhutan has
successfully outlawed all plastic bags.
My resolve is strengthened by my experience
and I look forward to us moving together with
the intention of strengthening our stewardship
practices in our life together at Redeemer.
I look forward to sharing with you the 50th
Anniversary of Redeemer. As we celebrate
together may we set the foundation to ensure
another 50 years for our children and our
children's children!
Sue Clark, 454-4115, sueclarkca@aol.com
BISHOP’S COMMITTEE OPEN POSITIONS
At the Annual Meeting in January, the
congregation will elect three new Bishop’s
Committee members. If you are interested in
serving on the Committee, talk to an existing
member of the BC, and ask them what’s
entailed, and what’s on the horizon. Those
members are: Elliott Blank, John Chung, Sue
Clark, Eileen Erler, Sally Gar-baryon, Betsy
Nakamura, Kim Johnson, Jim Pro-vixens, and
Mary Sparks. Keep your eyes peeled for further
communication by email in December.
MUTUAL MINISTRY REVIEW
The Bishop's Committee members will be meet-
ing with Fr. Steve during December to share our
feelings about each other's work and
performance. We will take this time to honestly
evaluate where our strengths and challenges lie,
what challenges we face, where there may be
gaps in our coverage of what needs to be
accomplished in life of Redeemer.
We want to do what is necessary to continue and
strengthen the presence of Redeemer in our
community.
We need your help. This is a mutual review and
I invite any and all of our congregation to send
me a note noting either challenges or strengths
that you have observed.
You may email your comments or concerns to
me at Sue Clarkca@aol.com - or send by mail
this next week. I will collate all the information
received (with no attribution of writer) and will
share with Steve and Bishop's Committee
members.
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