The Vine is a growing community.
God has graciously provided for our needs ahead of time over the year-plus I have been here. This includes hiring our own Marisa Davis for Children’s ministry, and recognizing Amanda’s gifts as our regular musical worship leader, and more. Your Vestry has moved so we do not have to play catch-up as an organization, even as we release our founding pastor into a faithfully-earned and well-discerned retirement.
Hannah+ is another part of that provision. You have seen her among others volunteering her time to preach and serve in a variety of ways on Sundays. Her input has been sought by various people in a variety of ministries around The Vine. She became our Helene Response coordinator when her pastoral clarity was needed in our eagerness to respond, and has organized formation evenings like our Election Prayer Night and Advent 101.
Beginning in January, The Vine has called Hannah to officially serve in a limited capacity as our Associate Rector.
In many ways, this will not change things; her gifts of presence and communication will remain on Sundays, if not grow. She will remain pastorally available. But it does mean she will participate in our growing staff culture. Hannah will also bring interim leadership to our youth group. Her specific gifts, proficiencies, experiences, and expertly-curated levels of nerdiness will bless our kids, and allow us to wait on the Lord for the right long-term candidate.
Our church is slowly growing, and praise the Lord who knows what we need well before we need it.