When words fail
Talking is a considerable part of my job, as is the written word. Katie at Galloway has gone so far as to label me a "yapper" to the delight of our youth who attended the first United night back in September. Yet finding the right way to write down my feelings has eluded me again and again. All I know is to say thank you and I love y'all. As has been announced, I'll be leaving in the middle of May to become the associate pastor for students at Northminster Baptist Church in Jackson. My last Sunday at PHUMC will be May 11.
I made sure to get breakfast at Waffle House the morning I first drove up to Parkway Hills to sign my employment paperwork. Why? For starters, because it's good. And also because I'm not the first to opine that Waffle House might just be the most welcoming institution in the South. Nothing you're bringing in matters when you sit down to that laminated menu, and my hope was to center that approach in my ministry as I started. In the 5 years since then I've seen our students grow by leaps and bounds in that kind of Christianity, even enshrining it in our ministry's core values. I will always be thankful for how you and your students have welcomed me but more importantly how that has turned into a Christian welcome for others because that's why we're here: to always make another spot at the table where someone made a spot for us. Thank you.
Just because my time here is coming to a close doesn't mean we're done. We need your help to make this a great end to a great sememster. How can you help?
•Be praying for our students and church leaders as changes happen and decisions are made.
•Volunteer! Our students need your presence now more than ever. We have a few really key events coming up to close out the spring semester:
-We need two volunteers for our last regular Engage this Sunday, from 5:30-7:30pm.
-We also need two volunteers each for the youth egg hunt on April 13, our post fundraiser celebration the evening of April 27, and our finals homework night on May 7. You can sign up for any of these events here.
-We need a lot of people to make this year's spring cookout lunch fundraiser another success as we help fund the summer trip and the next steps for our youth ministry. This year's edition is being held on April 27 and we'll need material donations, help on Saturday, and help on Sunday. That signup list can be found here.
I will always carry my time at Parkway Hills. I am a better minister for it, and I dearly hope those in our ministry, their families, and the world around them can say they are better for it as well. Thank you, and I love y'all.
-Geoff
