School is out, and summer is finally here! It's time to enjoy some warmer weather and fun with family and friends! The month of June also brings several exciting things for us at Union.
Please mark your calendars for our Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, June 8, following morning worship. As we prepare for the new church year that begins in July, your participation in this meeting is vital. We will have several matters to vote on, including our leadership nomination report, the 2025-26 budget, and a proposed Bylaw Amendment.
The proposed Bylaw Amendment was drafted by our Administrative Officers this year and comes to you for consideration at the annual meeting after being approved by the Church Council. The purpose of this proposed amendment is to establish an Administrative Officers Committee. If adopted, the Administrative Officers Committee will continue moving us toward a more collaborative model of leadership by providing support for the current Church Council Chair and the Pastor. Another purpose of this committee is to prevent burnout among key leaders, which is so important in a congregation like Union.
You can read a copy of this proposed Bylaw Amendment by clicking the link below or picking up a copy in the Gathering Space. Please take some time to read it before the Congregational Meeting and consider it prayerfully. We look forward to sharing a covered-dish meal after our business is concluded that Sunday in the Fellowship Hall.
This month, we are also looking forward to Vacation Bible School! Our Road Trip VBS starts Monday, June 9, at 5:30 PM and runs through Thursday, June 12! Thank you to all who have volunteered and shared supplies with us for VBS already! Road Trip will be a ton of fun and provide fantastic opportunities for our children to grow in their faith. Please pray for the children and all the volunteers who will participate in VBS this year. Ask God to bless them and grow each one in his grace.
In June, I will be away on vacation from June 13 to 22. We will visit some family and then travel to the North Carolina Outer Banks and Colonial Williamsburg. While I am away, Rev. Emily Harbin from First Baptist Athens will preach on June 15, and Madison Sanders from Family Promise will share in worship on June 22. We will also have a hymn sing on June 22, which I know you will enjoy. Jonathan Byrd will teach Sunday School on those two Sundays. Should a pastoral need or emergency arise while I am away, you can contact any of our Elders for support. If you are unsure who to contact, Nickie in the church office can direct you to the right person.
Above all, this summer, it's my prayer that you will take time to be with Jesus and rest in God's continual care and unconditional love for you! Jesus loves you, Union family, and I do, too. I love being your pastor, and I am so thankful for our vibrant ministry together!