Rev. Peter C. de Vries, Ph.D. has served Old Union since November 1993.
To learn more about Rev. Dr. de Vries, go to FaceBook, Linked-In, or his blog.
FROM THE PASTOR
By the time this newsletter is published, I will have begun my sabbatical leave, which will continue until July 30. This leave, which is funded entirely by a generous grant the church has received, offers a number of benefits and opportunities for me and for our congregation.
The leave provides me with a “breath of fresh air” after 30 total years of ministry, and 25 years of ministry at Old Union Church. This will be a time for me to provide to refresh my personal spirituality without having to focus on the spiritual growth of others. While I serve as your pastor, my personal faith experiences often become resources for me to use in my ministry. Over time, this can erode the value of these experiences and insight for my own relationship with the Lord. And without a strong relationship with Christ, my ministry will become weaker and weaker. This time away will also enable me to renew my call to ministry, and my identity as a pastor. The routine and challenges of ministry can sometimes make me lose sight of why God called me to this role in the first place. I will also use my time away to learn from other churches and religious traditions in order to develop fresh approaches for ministry.
My activities during the leave are intended to bring renewal to four areas of my life: spiritual, relational, intellectual/vocational, and recreational. The proposal that the sabbatical committee and I prepared provides an even balance in all four areas. I will attend a variety of spiritual events, reconnect with old friends, and enjoy some favorite activities. My vocational renewal will focus on the topic of “delegation and empowerment,” which you identified as something I would benefit from studying.
This sabbatical leave also provides great opportunities for our congregation. Because I have served Old Union for so many years, my “fingerprints” are all over our church. This will be a time for you to understand Old Union’s identity and mission without my influence. Under the capable leadership of Rev. Dr. Carolyn Jones, who will serve as your “sabbatical pastor” in my absence, you will be able to recognize blind spots in Old Union’s ministry and organization, and to discover unrecognized resources and strengths. Carolyn will serve as your full-time pastor while I am away, providing full leadership and service in all aspects of pastoral ministry. You can read more about Carolyn elsewhere in this newsletter.
When I return in August, a friend of mine who is a nationally-recognized church consultant will work with us to bring together what I have learned about my call as a pastor and what you have learned about God’s call for our congregation. Carol McDonald will spend two weekends with us, asking questions, learning, and offering suggestions. This will help us set the course for what I hope will be many more years of serving the Lord together.
As the old hymn puts it, “God be with you till we meet again.”
Peter
Old Union Presbyterian Church | 200 Union Church Road, Mars, PA 16046
724-538-8672 | OldUnionChurch@gmail.com
724-538-8672 | OldUnionChurch@gmail.com