From the Pastor's Pen 6/1/23

6/1/2023

Dear Friends,

It’s been a minute since I wrote to you! I am so happy to be back in the office and back in the pulpit! Am I 100%? No. Am I doing my best? Absolutely! Does it give me great energy to be back doing what I love? You bet!

So, let’s start there. Thanks to a mix-up in the pathology department, my sample didn’t get sent off for extended testing like it was supposed to be, so it will be another three weeks or so before we have the answers that will help us determine next steps in treatment. Not what I wanted to hear, but I will continue to wait (somewhat) patiently, living my best life in the meantime.

Speaking of which, I had a great week at my first Doctorate seminar residency at University of Dubuque Theological Seminary (UDTS) May 16-25. Met some new friends, re-connected with some old friends, and we learned much as a cohort. Now I move from a season of reading into a season of writing which will bring year one (of four) to a close. While I was there, my mom and daughter drove up for the weekend, and we drove over to see my middle sister and her family for a bit. It was wonderful.

Now, let’s talk wonderful. You know who is wonderful? YOU ARE!!! Mike, Ty and I have felt so loved, cared for, and held up over the last couple of months following my first surgery. The food, the cards, the coloring pages, the texts, the emails, and everything else you have done for us has been such a blessing!! I can’t even begin to use words to express our immense gratitude for all the ways that you have carried us! I truly believe I have the best congregation and wouldn’t trade you for anything!

A big thanks to Pam, Billy, Lorrie, and the Session for the many ways that they have kept things moving smoothly in my absence, as well as those who came in and filled the pulpit. I didn’t have to worry about the church at all, and that was a giant blessing in the recovery process.

This Sunday, June 4, is the first Sunday of the month which means communion during worship and Presbyterian Pints following worship. I hope you will invite a friend to join you for BOTH, and I look forward to returning to our time of fellowship around the table!

A reminder for those unable to join us in-person, Sunday morning worship is livestreamed on our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/GulfShoresFirstPresbyterianChurch. The service airs each Sunday at 11:00 a.m. and will be available to watch after that as well.

We are in the midst of some transitions in the Hand-in-Hand Business Center, a natural progression of what happens in spaces like this, but the minute word gets out we have an opening, people are here asking about it. As Red Door Marketing has grown immensely since beginning here, they have outgrown the space and are moving on to a new space, while Gulf Shores Massage Therapy is moving into this space, and we are in conversation with others about how they can join us here. I am happy to say that God is using this space to be a blessing to our community through the small businesses that reside here.

Please note that if you enter through the east doors to the building that the people in the Hand-in-Hand Business Center are there to work and do their jobs, so please be quiet and respectful of their time and space. If you need to enter the building and do not have a key, please come to the north entrance near the turquoise picnic tables and ring the bell for the office, rather than disturbing the business center tenants. Thank you for your cooperation.

Don’t forget:

• NOW is the time to SHARE this information with anyone and everyone who is visiting the area. ALL proceeds from parking are now coming directly to the church, so the more people who park here, the more income we receive. So, if you know of those who need a place to park during their visit to Gulf Shores and they would like to use our parking lot, here is the link to share: https://www.premiumparking.com/P2658. You can also pick up postcards at the church to pass on to those who might be interested. If you have contacts at a rental company or a particular condo, feel free to pass this information along to them now that we are headed into busy season.
• Keep collecting that loose change and bring it every week to add to the collection! All of the loose change will go toward the ongoing ministry of the church, as we continue to spread the life-changing good news of God’s love.
• The church can now receive donations through Facebook, either by clicking on the “Donate” button on our Facebook Page, or through Fundraisers you can host on your own Facebook page.
• If you have more ideas about how we can creatively fund the ministry of First Presbyterian Church of Gulf Shores, reach out and let me know!
• For safety reasons, at 11:00 a.m. each Sunday, all the doors of the building will be locked EXCEPT the north door that leads into the narthex. If you find yourself running behind, just remember to park up front by that door and enter there.
• Bring your Blessing Box donations (non-perishable items) to church on Sundays or drop them off at the box during the week.

As always, you are welcome to reach out to me via email, text or phone with any needs or just to chat!

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!
 
Rev. Chrisy Ennen
gsfpcpastor@outlook.com, (618) 980-9899
"Let all that you do be done in love.”
I Corinthians 16:14