One year in.

This past Sunday marked my one-year anniversary as the pastor at North Hollywood First UMC. At last year’s Epiphany Party, I was nervous and anxious, meeting all the new people I would be in ministry with. This year’s Epiphany party was relaxed and joyful, a celebration of the new year and a new beginning in ministry.

During Worship, we did all the normal Epiphany things: sang, read scripture, shared in Communion. It also included a moment in which Lisa, our Board Chair, said some really nice things about me while I stood there awkwardly. After worship, we sheltered from the rain with food, fellowship and fun!

Having now completed one full year, I am looking forward to what is to come. I have done it once, now I can use the lessons of my first year to inform how I pastor: the decisions to make and those to let lie, the invitations to welcome and those to decline, how to spend my energy and how to reserve it. There is a time for every purpose under heaven.

Here’s to year 2!