I believe I am beginning to know how the Israelites felt when they finally crossed over the Jordan River into the Promised Land following their Wilderness Sojourn following the Exodus. In fact, a more accurate analogy is probably the wellspring of emotion unleashed by Israel’s return under Cyrus of Persia in the late 5th Century B.C. following the Babylonian Exile.
Just sitting in my newly renovated office (I feel like a bank executive!) brings back memories of how we worshipped and studied and worked together when our church’s administrative area was “inside” our main facilities. We were also able to develop and celebrate more closely on a daily basis our important partnership with the Weekday School.
I am remembering daily habits and weekly practices that I have not done in almost three (3) years! Once again I am able to walk into the Sanctuary and practice my sermons on late weekday afternoons. Likewise, I am able to arrange a room for a Bible Study or meeting “just the way I want it” when I need a break and have to find “something to do!” I can even visit the new Parlor kitchen and cook a couple of chocolate pies (and lick the bowl afterward!), just to bring back memories of life in the Ford House.
I feel good every time I drive by the church and see the electric candles burning in the pastors’ office windows. They remind me of the late Anne Decker’s remark early on in my tenure as Pastor: “It’s like someone is at home at the church all the time.” Yes, it is good to be back “home” again!
One dimension of being “home” is the re-establishment of regular and consistent Office Hours for the Church Office. While in the Ford House on “the other side of the parking lot” and “off in Exile,” many times our work hours were irregular and sometimes inconsistent. Now that we are settled at last, the following Office Hours have been established by the church staff.
Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Staff Meetings (Tuesday afternoon) 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Fridays 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
As in the past, please remember that Sherri Smith works Monday through Friday, Jeannie Sigmon works Monday through Thursday, Daria Ragan is in the Office Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday, and Robin Russell and Suzanne Fairbairn have Friday as their usual weekday off. I try to observe Friday is a weekday off as well.
In spite of our new surroundings, the final weeks of construction, and the joy of our Building Project entering its final phase, we remain “A Work in Progress” and there is still much that will not be completed once all our workmen have left. Nevertheless, I remain grateful for all of you who have given and continue to give so much so that we might share this amazing new facility with our Belmont Community and to the glory of God!
