For our families at home with their kids, looking for ways to learn and talk about God —
After the retirement of our Children and Family Ministry Coordinator, we are in a period of discernment as to how best to serve our families. Meanwhile, the great at-home resources which Terry provided for us during lockdown are still available online. Visit THIS LINK to find them.
Peace be with you!
A Farewell Letter from Terry:
Dear QALC Friends,
I plan to end my work as Children and Family Ministry Coordinator at QALC effective June 1 of this year. My years on staff at QALC have been a time I enjoyed, and collaborating with staff and the church community was and still is a rewarding time of learning and growth in a supportive faith community.
In Children’s Ministry, dynamics constantly change as children grow older, and this is happening at QALC. When we gather again to worship we’re not going back to what was, but moving forward to meet new needs. I see the confirmation class moving forward to a youth group, intentional support to parents of the growing number of infants/ toddlers, and the ongoing need to provide learning for the ages of children in-between. Change is good, and looking for the best ways to reach out to families with kids and to young adults, both in the church community and extended community, is something to be explored.
Evaluating what one is called to do is an ongoing and important process for all those in ministry. Pastor Dan and I have established the ForKIDS Advisory Group as a way to guide thoughts in the moving-forward process. As new needs arise in Children’s Ministry, the review of resources and ministry focus are needed and helpful. The needs of each congregation are unique, and should drive the allocation of resources and involvement in support of what the congregation requires and cares about.
Although I will miss being at QALC, I see this as part of the blessing and exciting process of moving forward.
Yours in Christ,
Terry Anderson
*The original version of this letter was submitted to our Church Council on February 28, 2021
LIFE HAPPENS, and we respond
LOSS: together we walked through hard times with God’s presence.
Closing down church, not traveling or seeing families and friends, and the passing away of dear people in our church community. Many in our country lost their life, their jobs, or their businesses. Many more are hungry, homeless, or both. Life was challenging.
LEARNING: together we looked at life’s blessings in new ways.
Learning the consequences of a pandemic, working from home, and kids with school online. Spending time with the family, or learning to be alone. Learning unpleasant things about politics, racism, hate crimes, and being challenged to sort out truth among rumors and falsehoods. Cooking and learning to slow down the fast pace of life. Worshiping with WordOut!, and joining Zoom coffee hours, meetings, and webinars. Learning to sing, read lessons, and even do a Christmas program online. Parents teaching kids about God at home, and finding creative ways for baptisms or new members and confirmation classes to happen. Online worship music and sing-alongs uplifting our souls.
REACHING OUT: together we worked to care for each other.
Visiting committee “angels” and phone calls kept people in touch, and the chapel became a gathering place for warm clothing, socks, and bags of knitted caps to deliver to those in need. Sidewalk connections to our neighbors with Mandalas, Let Your Light Shine, ThanksLiving, a lighted Christmas display, a flower cross and chalk butterfly for Easter, a chalked sidewalk for Earth Day, seasonal signs and weekly updates on our website and Facebook page, all saying that even with a closed building, CHURCH happens. Chris Louie’s Little Library continues to be a joy to neighbors passing by, and donations of books continue to replenish it. College kids were sent care packages and volunteer gardeners cared for the grounds even as necessary renovations happened.
SERVICE: together we walked the talk with gifts of time and money.
Quilters ferried materials back and forth, sewed, blessed, and sent quilts out. Neighbors joined in a New Horizons towel drive, others cooked dinners for the homeless youth and others contributed necessities. Generous support grew the New Horizons computer fund. 100-Mile Challenge Food Bank walkers and donors raised over $5,500, and a community collection supported Queen Anne Helpline. First graders were “adopted” at the school in Tanzania, and support for our church budget continues. Worship planners readied the sanctuary for videotaping while others found a gift for planning and implementing video. Three Peace Poles took weeks of planning, were created by Sophie Pritchard, and will shortly be dedicated.
LOOKING FORWARD: together we pray.
Facing challenges we pray, “Hallowed be thy name.” Navigating change we pray, “Thy will be done.” Working together as God’s hands, feet and voice for good we pray: “For yours is the kingdom, and the power and the glory!” AMEN.
—Terry from ForKIDS@HOME
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