Counting our blessings,

Dear friends,

On Thanksgiving Sunday, after the service, I was the beneficiary of a wonderful surprise, a celebration of my two decades at Parkview. When I visit one of our hundred year olds, I like to quip (to the relatives) that I have been their pastor for one-fifth of their life! That’s quite a while! There was an introduction by Titus Toyama and a slide show courtesy of Judy Fukuman and many kind words by a number of you. I am truly blessed to have had such a kind congregation to serve over more than twenty years. I think you all gave me way too much credit. There are so many things that could have happened to end my tenure prematurely which never happened. We depend on God’s grace working with and through our human efforts. I always remind myself there is no guarantee that anyone will show up on any given Sunday and no guarantee that we will get enough donations any give year. In fact you have always come as well as come through.

You have supported our latest project at the church, the residency program. That too, despite our best efforts is dependent on God’s grace. Changes in affordable insurance coverage may make recruiting of residents more difficult, but we are hopeful. I am grateful for the blessing Chakrita’s presence has brought. Especially in her second period at Parkview I think in the contribution is making the congregation is starting to see the dimension residents can bring to our ministry. Rev. Gail said that she thought it was interesting Chakrita uses her IPad in leading the worship service. “yes,” I said. “That’s just one way the next generation brings its own perspective to the church.” Chakrita is making an impact on our Sunday School in particular as she is inviting interested Parkview family members to a Sunday School teacher training later this month. She has also been meeting with other churches/church organization to help us develop a ministry network.

Speaking of Gail, I am grateful for the blessings of her pastoral concern and her love for worship. We should pray for complete recovery while not taking her for granted as she has been ready to step in for many years now. She has brought in a woman’s attention for worship detail as well as stability and predictability. Imagine having a different guest speaker every time I was away.

We have been fortunate to have a parking lot to use for most of the period I was here and that has made attendance easier and fundraisers possible. We have been depending on the kindness of the old and new owners. I received encouraging news that the building on the premises will be leased to an architectural company. This may mean this will us more years of use of the parking lot. The use of that space too has been blessing, even though we also know it is fragile. We are dependent on the kindness of others. As we do not know the limits of their good will, we must be good stewards of their gift, but again we depend on God’s grace. Maybe this is good, for it keeps us from the illusion that the the future of our congregation is entirely within our control. It is not.

As we approach Christmas and a New Year full of uncertainties for our country and our planet, may we count our blessing and celebrate God’s working grace in our lives and in our world. Merry Christmas and New Year. Thank you and may God bless our ministry. Aart