Messiah News

If you were a part of our "Internship Process Progress Potluck" February 25, or if you read our summary of that event in last week's Northern Highlights, you may have noticed that several groups said they looked forward to "new, fresh or alternative" perspectives a new pastor might bring. Really?! You shouldn't encourage me. I can do alternative perspectives! Here's what happened. Our Old Testament Lesson for Sunday, March 10, 2024, is Numbers 21:4-19. In this story Israel, doing their 40 years in the wilderness after the Exodus, is complaining to God about, I don't know, everything. Anyway, God gets tired of it and sends snakes into the desert which bite people and they die. (Complainers beware!!)  So, the people apologize for their whining and ask God to take the snakes away. That doesn't  happen (sigh) but God does tell Moses to make a bronze serpent and put it on a stake....

Since the update provided at the annual meeting, the Call Committee has received 4 additional Rostered Minister Profiles (RMP) to consider. We have conducted initial interviews with all 4 of the candidates. We conducted a second onsite interview with one of the candidates. That candidate withdrew from consideration as they felt they needed more time to discern what God has planned for them next. One of the candidates we talked with was very gifted but has not yet served as a solo or lead pastor. As a result, we decided to continue our conversation with the other two candidates. Both have an impressive depth and breadth of experience and have served as a solo pastor of a congregation. We have invited both candidates to a second interview. Our preference is an in-person conversation over a zoom discussion, but we recognize this is a difficult time of the year to travel for...

Dear Messiah Family,  For the last ten years I have substituted at Columbia River High School as an administrator.  This affords me the opportunity to work with them and their Food Pantry and Clothes Closet. Our Messiah family has always played an integral role in this operation. We provide them with family gift cards for Thanksgiving and... Original author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Ben McCarty)

Dave Moore, Messiah's Facility Coordinator, will be retiring from his role on staff on March 31, 2024.  We are so thankful to Dave for his years of dedication. Watch for an upcoming announcement about how we will celebrate his time on staff.  If you or someone you know is interested in this kind of role, please talk with Jessica Potts.&nb... Original author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Ben McCarty)

Lent is in full swing, and Easter Sunday will be here before we know it! We are collecting small, individually wrapped Easter candy that can fit into plastic Easter eggs.  Please ensure that all candy donations are nut-free and not processed in a facility that processes nuts.  Our supply of plastic Easter eggs has also depleted a bit over... Original author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Ben McCarty)