August 16, 2013

 

 

Beloved in Christ,

 

You have now received Shauna's news of how God is at work in her life!

 

There are times when you hear something and you know it to be of God, even when it is news that you are not quite ready to hear.  This was my response when Shauna told me that she was feeling called to teach English as a second language in another country.  Her passion for international mission has been preparing her for some time.  I am so excited for her, even as I grieve her leaving our shared ministry with Muskingum Valley Presbytery.  Truly, we have been blessed over these last two and a half years.

 

The challenge, of course, is making a transition in a very tight space of time.  But, God was ahead of us-as God always is-preparing a Muskingum University graduate to serve as our next Ministry Coordinator.  Indeed, the signs of God's hand at work not only in Shauna's life, but our shared life, has been humbling.

 

On Monday, Candice McMath will begin her work with us, allowing for a week's overlap that Shauna might orient and train her.  Not only did Candice do her undergraduate work at Muskingum, she is currently working on a Masters in Fine Art, combined with her teaching certification.

 

She comes to us from Rea & Associates where she has been doing much of the same work that she will do for us: coordination of events, networking of teams across ministries, communication.  But, most significant is the recommendation that comes from her testimony to who God is and how God has been working in her life.  Candice is on a journey, as is Shauna, and each one of us: a journey in which she seeks to serve God with energy, intelligence, imagination and love.

 

This next week, if you have a moment, stop in the Mission Center to say thank you to Shauna and welcome Candice.  Whether without the bounds or beyond, may we together journey with Jesus to touch the world!

 

Together in Christ,

 

   

 

Deborah Anne Rundlett

General Presbyter