I came to you a green, wet-behind-the-ears first-time pastor.  I felt the call of God to preach and you had to suffer as I got my bearings.  Sorry!  Everything was new and strange.  Not only was I starting a new career late in life, but I had to do it during COVID.  This was not at all what I imagined it would be like.  During that first year I preached in an empty church building, and I do mean empty.  There were no people!  Well actually, there were but they had all been reduced to one inch images on my computer.  I was living the horror movie "The Incredible Shrinking Man" only I was the giant and everybody else was getting smaller and smaller.  What a way to start out!  I was waaaaaaaay out of my comfort zone!  I had grown up in the church and this did NOT feel like church!  They called it ZOOM church.  Yep, ZOOM meaning they had all "ZOOMED" into an artifical world.   

After months of squinting to see members of the church on my computer, we finally decided to have a service with live people.  We felt it was safer holding it in the back yard where the danger of catching that insidious disease was minimized.  We had hand sanitizer, masks and an automatic thermometer.  We checked everyone's temperature and wrote down their phone numbers before they were allowed to go into the back yard.  We started a little late but no one noticed.  Spirits were high as people talked to one another.  For some, it had been months since they had seen their friends.  For me, people sure looked different.  First, everyone was wearing masks so I didn't recognize many of them.  But the thing that stood out, was they were so BIG!  I had gotten used to their tiny faces on my computer and now, they towered over me.  Finally they settled down and found seats that had been spaced out according to health regulations.  I was really excited!  I brought my little keyboard from home and my amp that ran on batteries.  I had picked out some upbeat songs that reflected the joyous occasion.  Part-way through the second song, people jumped to their feet and threw up their arms.  Hallelujah!  I knew the Holy Spirit was moving just like I had witnessed so many times in the Pentecostal churches I had attended.  Just as I was thinking the people were really getting into the Spirit, the heavens open and God was raining down on us.  By now the people were running out of the yard.   I stopped when I felt the rain, but when I looked around, I saw the rain was coming NOT from the heavens, but the sprinklers that had unexpectedly turned on.  I also jumped up to get away from the sprinklers.  I laughed to myself.  My songs were inspirational but I've never had people jumping to their feet waving their arms.   Besides, "El Shaddai" is a mellow song and I've never known it to move people like that.  The people were moved alright, but not by God.  I felt a little sheepish.    

One thing that stood out that first year, besides preaching in an empty building, was our relationship with Truckee Lutheran Presbyterian Church (TLPC).  When we were finally able to have services inside, we shared services with TLPC during the Holy Week of Lent.  We hosted the Maundy Thursday services and TLPC hosted the Good Friday services.  Later in the year we worked with them on "The Church Has Left the Building" Sunday morning doing community work instead of having a service.  When Jeanie, their pastor, asked about renting out facility, my heart jumped.  I instantly knew this was meant to be.  Alas, things did not work out at that time and I was disappointed.  Did I make a mistake?  No, I knew it was God's will that they should be here.  I knew this was why I was sent to Church of the Mountains (COM).  COM had a relationship with TLPC long before I came but it was my purpose to help them move into our building.  The presence of TLPC will help ease some of the financial strain the church has been suffering from these past few years.  Now TLPC is coming and a new day, a new future is upon us.  Their first service will be September 1st.  I feel like I've fulfilled my purpose.  We have so much in common and I know they'll be a blessing to COM.  For example, they will be contributing funds to install an elevator.  I feel like I've led COM to the promised land but I won't be here to see them enjoy that new venture with TLPC.  It's time for me to move on.  God is calling me to be the pastor of Susanville UMC effective July 1st.  I shall miss you terribly!  My dear friends, you've been so gracious and patient as I grew into my role. You've taught me so much and I'm a better pastor because of YOU!  Thank you, thank you, thank you for allowing me to be your pastor!  I LOVE YOU and will cherish you even as I hold you up in prayer! 

Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)

Pastor Vicki