The Season of Advent (which begins on Sunday!) is all about ‘endings and beginnings’. One of those ‘endings’ for us this year is both exciting and bittersweet. It is time to send off Nile and Doris Gomez with our blessing as they begin the next phase of their life and calling. I copy a ‘letter’ from Nile below:
NEWS FROM NILE AND DORIS GOMEZ:
Beloved Christ the Redeemer Family,
“As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope that you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ”
(1 Thessalonians 1:3, NLT)
Farewells are never easy, and this one is particularly bittersweet. After nearly six years of life and ministry together and countless precious moments, the time has come for Doris and me to move forward with God’s calling on our lives.
On the one hand, that means saying “farewell for now” to the many we have come to know and love at Christ the Redeemer. This decision has not been an easy one to make and has come after many conversations, much prayer and with the blessing of Brian and our Bishop, Steve Breedlove .
On the other hand, moving forward also means that after some time of prayerful rest and renewal, we will embark on the journey we believe God has called us into: the expansion of God’s kingdom through missional church planting.
We love you dearly and are very grateful for the opportunity to have served and labored together in God’s harvest field together. You have all blessed us in so many different ways and we will never forget your loving kindness toward us.
We covet your prayers as you think of us and will join you all to say goodbye on December 6th and to be set aside for this new work.
With all our love and blessings,
Nile+ and Doris Gomez
The Gomez’ will be with us on Sunday, December 6 culminating in our Annual General Meeting. We will be able to thank them for their service to us and to pray for them as they head off to found their missional community.
A couple of other things to note this week:
First, the Toy Drive for Park Place School ends on Sunday December 6 (they will be presenting the toys to the children that next week). If you would like to participate please bring in an unwrapped toy (suggested cost of $5) and place it in the bin at the entrance to the sanctuary.
Second, the Coffee time with the Rwandan Author (Eric Irivuzumagabe) takes place on Thursday, December 3 at the church beginning at 7:30 pm. This promises to be a blessed time and a great way of deepening our connection with Rwanda. Eric’s book and Rwandan coffee will be for sale that night (might make great Christmas gifts).
Have a great Thanksgiving. See you all on the First Sunday of Advent!
