Annual Report 2023-2024-DIGITAL - Flipbook - Page 6
PASTOR OF CONGREGATIONAL & COMMUNITY CARE
LEANN STUBBS
one another, share life with one another, and belong together.
My hope is that this Board adopt a thinking from our Stephen
Ministers…. “That no one ever need walk alone.” (See hymn
#374, the official Stephen Ministry song, for reference.)
Of Zebras, Ostriches, and Genesis 1:27
Writing an annual report is often a time of joy as I take a
moment to take stock of the year that has been. This year is no
different. My life with Plymouth Church really is filled with joy.
And for this I know that I am both privileged and grateful.
As the month of May ended last year, I tidied up my office,
locked the door, and embarked upon a three-month Sabbatical.
I am filled with both thanksgiving and respect for Plymouth’s
commitment to enable its clergy to engage in a periodic time
of rest, recovery, and renewal. The Word, “Sabbatical,” of
course comes from the biblical word, “Sabbath.” And as we
all know, Sabbath is not just a good idea, it is one of God’s
commandments. For this reason, it makes my heart sing when
I hear about a company or business that is starting to offer its
employees an opportunity for a Sabbatical. These workplaces
are still few and far between, but if we keep witnessing to what
God wants for all of us humans, perhaps more will start to catch
the vision. With all that said, I did rest and recover. And the
vision as to what I am called here to do was renewed. I started to
study about the Biblical mandate to be a people of Hospitality…
God’s expectation that God’s people are folks who offer radical
hospitality to others. Hospitality includes welcome, nurture, care,
and safety/sanctuary. Hospitality also implies that what is being
offered is a chance to belong.
Upon my return from Sabbatical, I walked into the full
onslaught of the program year kicking off, and a congregational
vote to establish a new Board of Congregational Care. I
will be the staff liaison to this new board. So, I have added
sociological reading (though no less biblical) as a counterpoint
to my study of Hospitality. The counterpoint to Hospitality
is, of course, Isolation and Loneliness, which has reached
epidemic proportions in our culture/country. The new Board of
Congregational Care will be looking at all of this, in addition
to creating new and meaningful ways for Plymouth to care for
4
Speaking of Stephen Ministry, we are concerned that there are
Plymouth folks who are, regrettably, walking alone! For over
25 years, Plymouth’s Stephen Ministers have walked with our
members for a period of time. They have offered non-judgmental
and confidential care…a listening ear, someone to bounce ideas
around with, someone to cheer you on, a sounding board…to
hundreds of people. I can recall some seasons of life when we
have had so many requests, that our Stephen Ministers have
been seeing several different people at one time. Countless
people have sat in my office and said, “I don’t know what I
would have done without my Stephen Minister.” When Covid
restrictions began to lift, we were prepared for a wave of folks
seeking someone to walk and talk with. But honestly, it has been
rather quiet. It has me wondering…. did Plymouth folks become
so emmeshed in webs of quality connection and support during
the pandemic (defying national statistics) that an impartial
listening ear is no longer wanted or needed? OR, did isolation
become such a norm during the pandemic that we have forgotten
how to reach out and connect in order to take good care of
ourselves? (I remember reading Sacred Self Care.) Can someone,
anyone, please quell my curiosity?
I believe in a Trinitarian God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
At God’s very core is relationality and community. Thus, to
be created in God’s image means that at OUR core, we are
relational and communal. We need one another to be human.
We need one another to be whole. We need one another to
be happy. And we are not alone. The entire created world is
designed this way. Most all animals, plants, and living organisms
need each other. Take for instance Zebras and Ostriches, two
very different animals who always hang out together. Zebras have
a keen sense of smell and hearing, but they have poor eyesight.
On the other hand, Ostriches have wonderful vision, but their
hearing and smelling capabilities are not so great. Each animal
benefits from the strengths of the other and they warn each other
of impending danger. How very cool is that?!
Whenever anyone asks me what I love about Plymouth Church,
the first thing out of my mouth is, “the people.” I think each and
every person here is exceptional and extraordinary. I am blown
away by your love of, and commitment to this place. I so look
forward to sharing even more life with you in the coming year.
Since God has declared that we need one another, I am so glad
that I have all of you!
Respectfully Submitted,
Pastor LeAnn Stubbs
