Western Church is hiring!

Position descriptions are posted for a part-time Coordinator of Digital Communications Ministry and part-time Director of Music Ministry.

“Hallelujah!” is the word for Easter, the day for those of us who know the resurrection story of Jesus to shout a heart-felt cheer. Not because we’ve seen evidence – there is no solid evidence. But because we’ve heard the news that Christ is alive and the death-dealing powers of this world are coming to an end.

I can’t remember my exact feeling after Monday’s shooting at the Nashville school. My heart was a web of sadness for families and communities, horror that gun violence in schools is still frequent, heartbreak about the connection to a transgender young adult, and wonder about other violent deaths ignored for the sake of this one.

But I can’t forget my outrage at the Christmas picture of their congressman…

“It’s going to take me a while to grieve the loss…”

One of you, a long-time church member, was sharing just how much you will miss Shenella McGaskey. Shenella has been in her central role in the office at Western for almost 23 years. Whether you’ve said it or not yourself, it’s going to take all of us a while to grieve the loss – including me.

I can’t remember who first used the phrase that Shenella is the one who holds us all together. I know Jesus is the One who does that in the divine sense, but in the eight years that I’ve been at Western, Shenella is the person who has kept us running. Those of you who gathered a few weeks ago to celebrate her work with us recognize what a ministry she has shared.