Hi,

Grace and peace to you.

What a privilege it is to begin to serve alongside you at Talmadge Hill Church! I look forward to meeting many of you this summer and pray that our time together will be meaningful, fruitful and aligned to the good work God is putting before us.

Lisa took care of writing a wonderful introduction for me and I look forward to rounding that out via sermons, conversations, meetings, coffee chats, etc. As noted, I really do look forward to getting to know you and hope that you will reach for me as you are ready. I will be reaching for you as well.

Until then, as I begin any new call, I pray Isaiah 43:19, repeating it and seeking the ancient wisdom made new. As it is helpful for me, I pray that it may be for you as well. The passage says, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it?” It is a good reminder that God is already at work and our greatest task is simply to perceive it, to pay attention, to align with that which God is actively unfolding. THCC has such a rich history in service, leadership, faithfulness, and congregational engagement. This foundation is strong for THCC, and the trajectory of ministry that has been in the past carries forward to the future. God invites us to hold onto those things that continue to serve us and our purpose as Christians. We are also compelled, required even, to perceive the ways God is moving us in new directions. How good and exciting is this work and this time for THCC? Certainly, there is anxiety, but the love and compassion of God outweighs doubt and nurtures us into the new.

May God continue to bless us all, that we may be the hands and feet of Christ today.

With gratitude and hope,

Mark