We have witnessed Joel Kershaw's growth as a pastor of our church and as the pastor to the youth in our church. There is always a question in my mind when a congregation notes the growth of a pastor if growth is exactly what happens. It could be our pastors grow spiritually and professionally and it could be that the growth we may have noted has more to do with the fact that we got to know them. Maybe we were the ones who grew.
I have been a colleague to Joel for the time he has been with us. I knew his father, Ross, as a respected colleague. Getting to know Joel and Abby has been a rare privilege. Being an interested supporter of them when their son, Jack was born and hearing rather pessimistic predictions as to what Jack would be able to do with the birth defects he came into the world with was hard to take. Watching how Joel and Abby took the bad news and transformed it into something positive and watching how Jack exceeded all the predictions with a spirit and spunk that will forever be an inspiration made me proud to be associated with them.
When Paul was born it seemed a fitting blessing and a rounding out of the family. It meant Jack would have another life-long advocate and it is evident the Paul will make his own place in the world.
Often the two little boys are in the church with their father and often they will come into my office to visit. They rummage through my desk looking for batteries. Their parents have removed the batteries from some of the louder and more repetitive toys. First Church is the only church I've served that often has two children and two dogs present. The Kershaw boys and Joann's dog, Acorn, and Ray Miller's dog, Calvin, are a part of the church staff. I will miss Jack and Paul almost as much as I will miss their father and mother.
Sunday, June 27th will be the last time we will have Joel with us. His appointment at the United Methodist Church in Brighten begins July 1. I know we will want to wish them well and I know how much they are appreciated.
How will we get along without Abby's pies and cookies? How will we handle the transition to the new pastor, Meg Ryan?
It is an interesting, fearful, exciting, sad, joyful, and good time at our church.
See you Sunday
Charles Schuster
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