This is my last blog post, as my husband, Jeff, and I have decided to help “plant” the new church that is being started with Daniel Lukas and the Awaken Community in St Paul. It was not an easy decision, but one we felt strongly that God was asking us to make. Being excited about a new adventure does not mean that there isn’t sadness in leaving where and whom you have grown to love dearly…..so here goes:
“We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed.”
(Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God)
Ok, if you have served on the Connections Ministry for any length of time, odds are you have seen this quote at least…well, a LOT of times in things that have been printed for you or for advertising what Connections Ministry is all about. (Once I find a good quote, I tend to over-use it).
The thing is, when I think about this team - its mission, its members - these words from Brother Lawrence ring so true and remind me so much of how you on the Connections teams serve. (Brother L., by the way, lived in the 1600’s and worked in the kitchen of a French monastery. He knew a little about serving and hospitality!)
I started this job with what I thought was a decent amount of experience in the needed areas. Let’s just say that I was possibly over-confident. But as I met more and more of you every weekend as you served, your attitudes and caring actions gave me real-life examples of leadership and love for others. YOU trained ME.
Thank you.
Love,
Carol
...but you will recognize these faces!
Pam Hawley, incoming Associate Connections Director
Martha Young, incoming Connections and Youth Assistant
As Carol leaves to help plant Awaken and build a new church home, we welcome two familiar faces to the Connections team. Pam Hawley joined the team as Connections Associate Director starting in March. Pam and her family have been Five Oakers for more than 13 years, and she has been on staff for 10 of those years. In that time, Pam has been a ministry assistant supporting small groups, Impact, Pastor Henry, Discovery, membership, worship, and too many other things to count! Most recently, Pam has added a huge helping of fun to Five Oaks as the leader of the FUN Team (shameless plug for Game Cafe on March 31 -- don't miss it)! Connections will also be adding Martha Young to our awesome team. If you are a regular at the Wednesday night youth group gatherings, you will recognize Martha. She serves as ministry assistant to our Student Ministry team and will be adding a new layer to her title as our Connections and Youth Ministry Assistant. Martha and her husband, Ben, have been coming to Five Oaks for almost two years. We are thrilled to have her take on these additional responsibilities.