We have a couple transitions happening at Keizer right now.    One has to do with graduations.  This past Sunday we as a congregation celebrated a transition in one of our member’s life.  Alex Souza, son of Dave and Lori, graduated from Sprague High School and is now moving on to the next phase of his life as a college student at a local school.     Graduation from High school is an important step in one’s transition into adulthood, filled with hopes, anxieties, and challenges.   Alex is making this transition with faith, skill, and support from his physical family and from his spiritual family and so we have confidence he will do well.  May God richly bless you Alex.   We look forward to watching what God does for you and in you during this next stage of your life.

Another transition of sorts has to do with me (Darren).  As many of you know, the Elders have granted me a Sabbatical this summer and it begins on July 5^th.  A sabbatical is a specific period of time in which a minister takes a break from normal duties and focuses instead on things like rest, refreshment, and spiritual growth and this is the first time our congregation has done this.   For me that will mean some focused time in foreign missions with our Myanmar team followed by some vacation time and opportunities for retreat and spiritual refreshment.  I’ll still be around and engaged in church life, as will my family, but others will be preaching for me during the summer.
I know that this will be a good experience for me and my family as well as a time of transitional growth for the congregation.    I’m very grateful to the Elders for this opportunity.

In addition to these two transitions, we have some exciting things happening this summer: such as worship in the park, VBS, Volcanoes Baseball night, Camp Dakota.    I encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities to grow in your relationships within our congregation and invite others to join in our life together as a body.    Blessings on your day.  Darren