Weekly News | 5.25.25
Hi COTC,
If you attended our Parish Meeting (you can watch the video from the meeting below) this past Sunday, you know that in mid-July, I’ll be stepping into a new role at COTC as the Associate Priest of Mission and Care. While the transition is still a ways off, I wanted to take some time to share some of the vision around the role.
While I am a sucker for coming up with new ways to help things run more smoothly and the importance of operations in church ministry, many of my interests lie in missions, justice issues, outreach, and pastoral care. After completing my Master's of Social Work, I spent the first 15 years or so of my career working as a social worker before I pursued my Master's in Missional Theology and transitioned into full-time ministry. In my time at COTC, I've been able to lean into some work related to missions and outreach, but the operational needs of the church have often been my primary focus. As I prepare to begin my new role, I am incredibly grateful that the Lord has provided this opportunity and to the Parish Council and Sarah+ for their support and vision around mission and care. This is an exciting moment for my family, me, and COTC. Y'all might recall that some of the most consistent feedback we received in the Parish Survey we did back in the fall was for COTC to engage more in missions, outreach, and diversity. I can't wait to see how God will invite us deeper into the furthering of His kingdom, love of neighbor, advocacy, and so much more.
As we look ahead at the first year of this role, we don't plan on making significant changes to missions, partnerships, outreach, etc, rather we desire to listen to the Spirit, pray, and discern about what God is inviting us into. This time of prayer and discernment will involve things such as conversations with the missions team and other parishioners, learning from other churches and ministries, opportunities to be formed and serve together, and more. My hope is that we will be able to cast a clearer vision for what missions at COTC is, how we might live out our vocation as God's people in all places, and that we might narrow our focus to better serve others. I'm excited to share that we will continue the good work that Jonathan+ and others began in St Johns, with kid's club. Additionally, a couple of weeks ago, the missions teams agreed to continue funding Jordan and José, as missional residents in the Casa Hills Apartment Complex. Jordan and José have been building relationships with their neighbors through prayer and meals, and they have been an integral part of the kid's club.
In addition to overseeing mission and care, I'll continue serving COTC as a Parish Priest, through celebrating, preaching, and providing pastoral care. It has been a great joy and honor to serve COTC and to be in community with y'all. When people ask me about COTC, one of the things I always say is that while I know I'm biased, we have the best people. In my 3.5 years here, it's been such a privilege to journey with so many of you. I find myself humbled by your steadfastness, your love of God, and your love of neighbor, and I'm excited for this new season, as we settle in with Sarah+ as our rector, as we head toward celebrating COTC's tenth anniversary, and as I settle into my role over mission and care.
Through the end of June, my primary focus will be on getting our new Director of Operations, Bryson Owen, onboard, but come mid-July, my attention will shift. If you'd like to meet up to hear more about this role, some of the vision we have for missions, etc., please don't hesitate to reach out. I'd LOVE to get something on the calendar in the fall.
Lastly, I'd love to invite y'all into prayer. See below for prayer requests:
1. I'll be taking two weeks off in July between roles. Please pray I can unplug, rest, and enjoy time with Keenan during her summer break. Pray too that the Lord will allow me to step into this position feeling rejuvenated.
2. As we listen to God and what He has for us, pray for a clear vision and against things that would distract or pull us away from what God has called us to. We already sensed some invitation to press into immigration, but we desire a clearer vision around what that might mean.
3. For the Lord to allow COTC to become more and more of a missional presence in our neighborhood and community and that He would continue to lift us leaders in this area.
The peace of Christ,
Kimberly+