First Presbyterian Church of Petaluma Annual Report for 2021

An Altar in the World JOHN CHASE, PASTOR My dear friends, Nimble. That was the Redwood Presbytery’s word of the year, and probably will be for the next several. Presbyterians are known for having their polity set, their ducks in a row, doing everything decent and in order.

So as the COVID-19 pandemic continued on, and on, and on, it became clear that our ability to be nimble would be crucial to our journey forward. The “normal” we knew was not the “normal” that we were learning and discovering. Maybe that’s good for us. Good for the church. Forcing us out of our familiar comfort zones and onto a new path with Jesus, not knowing where it will lead.

That is what we did in 2021, and much of that adventure, that nimbleness, is recorded and celebrated in the pages of this Annual Report. In a season when it can feel like nothing is happening, like God isn’t anywhere to be found, I hope you will be encouraged by what you read here, and discover that, as with those Emmaus Road pilgrims, Jesus was right beside us the whole time.

Jesus was right beside you as you cared for one another and extended that love into the community. You prayed through hardship and celebration, delivered meals, and gave rides. You planted, weeded, harvested and delivered vegetables. You celebrated mile-marker birthdays, anniversaries, and newborns, shared meals, helped children navigate the school year, and welcomed a preschool to our campus. This year you connected with our local homeless community, donated blankets and tents and socks, made and delivered 3