Mar 21, 2019

Dear PCLT Family,

 

It has been a month since I began serving full-time as your pastor, and what a month it has been! Already, you have welcomed me and JR with a reception on my first “official” Sunday, February 17, and you have witnessed my installation by Mission Presbytery on March 3rd. I spent much of the first two weeks attending long-delayed (and long!) committee meetings, where you all shared with me stories of your passion and compassion. This past Sunday, on March 17, we had the first of several gatherings so that I can get to know everyone better, and you can get to know me in a less formal setting. It has been a good start, and I am thankful!

 

Perhaps it is appropriate that we begin our journey together with the season of Lent. It is a season for reflection, repentance, renewal, and recommitment to the difficult life of discipleship. It is a season for each of us to examine the ways in which we fall short of being the grace-filled people God would have us be. It is also a season for all of us together to examine the ways in which our community has not yet become the Beloved Community which God calls us to be. We don’t enter this season with a sense of despair or defeatism, though; rather, we enter this season in hopeful confidence that God forgives us, God still calls us, and God longs for us to be ever more faithful in our discipleship.

 

Just another month from now, we will celebrate together in our services of Holy Week and Easter! I know God is present with us and has great plans for our congregation. I look forward to the next month, and all the months and years to come. Thanks be to God!

 

Your pastor,
Rev. Jack Barden

 

Rev. Barden’s office hours (most weeks) are Mon-Thurs, 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. You may reach him by coming by the church during those times, by calling the church office (512-494-5950), or by emailing him at pastor@pclt.faith.