Pastor John

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

sandwiches and water, met new friends and enjoyed fascinating conversations. And no matter how difficult things got, you stuck with it—in the worship you led in person and online, the Bible studies you facilitated, and the patience you had for folks (like me) every time they forgot to unmute. In and through you, God’s presence was visible.

This year I enjoyed bolstering our social media and video presence. I Babbled-On with folks in our virtual cafe, and invested time in a new website design (coming soon). I joined some Honest Conversations on race and racism, continued my term on the Presbytery Council, this year taking on the role of CoChair of the Personnel Committee, and also accepting an invitation to lead one of the monthly pastor cohort groups.

In the broader community, I started building relationships with members of Petaluma’s homeless community, with Petaluma’s SAFE Team, and with our friends down at Grand Central Cafe, where some of our church folks have led the Friday children’s story time.

It really is a blessing to be a part of this congregation, and to encourage you to pay attention to the world and people around you, to make every place an altar in the world, and to find God there.

And finally, I am so grateful for our wonderful staff, who day in and day out, remained nimble in their ministry to this congregation. Thank you Roger, Grete, Jane and Jenny. I couldn’t have done it without you. And then there is all you, the members of this congregation, the faithful members of Session, Deacons, and all with whom I count it a privilege to minister. You constantly amaze me with your faithfulness, nimbleness and love.

What is the adventure that God will reveal to us in 2022? Step onto the path, dear friend, and let’s find out together.

Your pastor, servant leader and friend,

John Chase