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You are here: Home / Archive / From the Pastor

September 5, 2022

From the Pastor

Ministering in Transition

Rev. Teresa Franklin, Interim Pastor

This past week I attended the second week of The Art of Transitional Ministry, otherwise known as Interim Training, at Montreat Conference Center in the mountains of North Carolina. There I met and studied with about forty other ministers training to become, or to become better, transitional ministers. As the name suggests, transitional ministers are challenged to lead congregations during periods of transition. It could be because the congregation is between pastors. Or the transition may be more general, like the trying times through which we’ve been traveling since March 2020 when the COVID pandemic shut down in-person worship all over the world. Or the transition may be from the familiar functioning of a vital in-town church to the unfamiliar and unwelcome realities of a struggling, small and aging congregation just trying to stay afloat.

The forty of us hailed from all over the eastern United States, from Arkansas to Wisconsin, from Michigan to Pittsburgh, from High Point to the Gulf Coast of Alabama. We came from large multi-staff congregations and from tiny 20-person congregations. We were full-time called and installed, full-time contracted, and part-time contracted pastors. We were women and men, black and white. Yet we had one thing in common: we were serving Christ by serving the Church in challenging times.

Our instructional team consisted of nine ministers with extensive experience leading both congregations and presbyteries through transitions. They taught us theory – family systems, genograms, trauma healing, appreciative inquiry, asset mapping – and allowed us to benefit from their very practical experience. We also learned from one another. One colleague told us about her church’s rummage sale, which had somehow become the most important event on the annual church calendar because it was just so doggone much FUN – for those who ran it – while being a (pain in the rear) point of contention for the rest of the congregation.

It seems there are endless possibilities for ways to mess up being the Church.

As we enter this next stage of preparation for calling the next installed pastor of Nacoochee Presbyterian Church, probably the most important thing for us to remember is to listen to one another. We don’t all have to agree. (As a matter of fact, I think it’s best if we go ahead and plan on uncovering differing opinions about what is most important and why.) But we all do need to listen. The vision that will lead Nacoochee into the next chapter of its life will reveal itself (will arise organically) from our discussions over the next several months about who we are, who we have been, and who we want to be. In Interim Training, I did not learn how to cast a vision for a church in transition. Rather, I learned how to lead conversations as I walk alongside a people on a journey to a future you will discover together, as you listen and remember, listen and imagine, listen and prepare, together.

Blessings,

Teresa

Filed Under: Archive

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News & Announcements

From the Pastor: Newcomers’ Picnic

May 30, 2023

NPC will hold a Newcomers’ Picnic on Saturday afternoon, June 24, 2023, 5:00, at the church. All newcomers are invited to attend. The Fellowship Committee will provide hamburgers and hotdogs. Session members will … [Read More] about From the Pastor: Newcomers’ Picnic

Celebrating NPC Confirmations and Graduates

May 30, 2023

On May 28th we welcomed three new members to NPC: Maggie Anglin, Charles Hughes, and Kite Stribling. (top photo) Having completed Confirmation classes with Rev. Teresa Franklin and sharing their statements of faith they were … [Read More] about Celebrating NPC Confirmations and Graduates

Pastor Nominating Committee Announcement

May 30, 2023

The Nominating Committee is pleased to announce that after much discussion and careful consideration, we have selected a slate of nominees for the Pastor Nominating Committee (aka the Pastor Search Committee.) The PNC will … [Read More] about Pastor Nominating Committee Announcement

Events Calendar

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  • June 2023

Calendar of Events

S Sun

M Mon

T Tue

W Wed

T Thu

F Fri

S Sat

1 event, 28

10:00 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Sunday Service

May 28 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Sunday Service

1 event, 29

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

May 29 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

1 event, 30

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

May 30 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

4 events, 31

7:30 am - 8:30 am Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

May 31 @ 7:30 am - 8:30 am Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

10:15 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Tai Chi Chih with Teresa

May 31 @ 10:15 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Tai Chi Chih with Teresa

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

May 31 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

+ 1 More

0 events, 1

0 events, 2

0 events, 3

2 events, 4

10:00 am - 11:00 am

Commissioning of Youth Mission Team for Trip to Panama

June 4 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Commissioning of Youth Mission Team for Trip to Panama

10:00 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Sunday Service

June 4 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Sunday Service

1 event, 5

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

June 5 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

1 event, 6

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

June 6 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

6 events, 7

7:30 am - 8:30 am Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

June 7 @ 7:30 am - 8:30 am Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

8:30 am - 10:00 am Event Series

Men’s Breakfast at Crossroads Café

June 7 @ 8:30 am - 10:00 am Event Series

Men’s Breakfast at Crossroads Café

10:15 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Tai Chi Chih with Teresa

June 7 @ 10:15 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Tai Chi Chih with Teresa

+ 3 More

0 events, 8

0 events, 9

0 events, 10

2 events, 11

10:00 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Sunday Service

June 11 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Sunday Service

3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Convivio – Hispanic Ministry

June 11 @ 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Convivio – Hispanic Ministry

1 event, 12

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

June 12 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

1 event, 13

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

June 13 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

5 events, 14

7:30 am - 8:30 am Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

June 14 @ 7:30 am - 8:30 am Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

10:15 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Tai Chi Chih with Teresa

June 14 @ 10:15 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Tai Chi Chih with Teresa

11:00 am - 12:00 pm Event Series

Centering Prayer

June 14 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Event Series

Centering Prayer

+ 2 More

0 events, 15

0 events, 16

0 events, 17

2 events, 18

10:00 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Sunday Service

June 18 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Sunday Service

11:00 am - 11:30 pm

Congregational Meeting

June 18 @ 11:00 am - 11:30 pm

Congregational Meeting

Congregational meeting to elect a Pastor Nominating Committee and to hear about the creation of an Endowment Fund

1 event, 19

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

June 19 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

1 event, 20

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

June 20 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

5 events, 21

7:30 am - 8:30 am Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

June 21 @ 7:30 am - 8:30 am Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

10:15 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Tai Chi Chih with Teresa

June 21 @ 10:15 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Tai Chi Chih with Teresa

11:00 am - 12:00 pm Event Series

Woman’s Spirituality Group

June 21 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Event Series

Woman’s Spirituality Group

+ 2 More

0 events, 22

0 events, 23

1 event, 24

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Newcomer’s Picnic

June 24 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Newcomer’s Picnic

1 event, 25

10:00 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Sunday Service

June 25 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Sunday Service

1 event, 26

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

June 26 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

1 event, 27

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

June 27 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

5 events, 28

7:30 am - 8:30 am Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

June 28 @ 7:30 am - 8:30 am Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

10:15 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Tai Chi Chih with Teresa

June 28 @ 10:15 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Tai Chi Chih with Teresa

11:00 am - 12:00 pm Event Series

Centering Prayer

June 28 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Event Series

Centering Prayer

+ 2 More

0 events, 29

0 events, 30

0 events, 1

May 28
May 28 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Sunday Service

May 29
May 29 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

May 30
May 30 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

May 31
May 31 @ 7:30 am - 8:30 am Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

May 31 @ 10:15 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Tai Chi Chih with Teresa

May 31 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

+ 1 More
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
June 4
June 4 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Commissioning of Youth Mission Team for Trip to Panama

June 4 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Sunday Service

June 5
June 5 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

June 4
June 4 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Commissioning of Youth Mission Team for Trip to Panama

June 4 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Sunday Service

June 5
June 5 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

June 6
June 6 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

June 7
June 7 @ 7:30 am - 8:30 am Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

June 7 @ 8:30 am - 10:00 am Event Series

Men’s Breakfast at Crossroads Café

June 7 @ 10:15 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Tai Chi Chih with Teresa

+ 3 More
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
June 11
June 11 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Sunday Service

June 11 @ 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Convivio – Hispanic Ministry

June 12
June 12 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

June 13
June 13 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

June 14
June 14 @ 7:30 am - 8:30 am Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

June 14 @ 10:15 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Tai Chi Chih with Teresa

June 14 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Event Series

Centering Prayer

+ 2 More
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
June 18
June 18 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Sunday Service

June 18 @ 11:00 am - 11:30 pm

Congregational Meeting

June 19
June 19 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

June 20
June 20 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

June 21
June 21 @ 7:30 am - 8:30 am Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

June 21 @ 10:15 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Tai Chi Chih with Teresa

June 21 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Event Series

Woman’s Spirituality Group

+ 2 More
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
June 24
June 24 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Newcomer’s Picnic

June 25
June 25 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Sunday Service

June 26
June 26 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

June 27
June 27 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

June 28
June 28 @ 7:30 am - 8:30 am Event Series

Outside Group Meeting Downstairs Room

June 28 @ 10:15 am - 11:00 am Event Series

Tai Chi Chih with Teresa

June 28 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Event Series

Centering Prayer

+ 2 More
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
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LOCATION

260 GA Highway 255 North
Send mail to PO Box 87
Sautee Nacoochee, GA 30571
(706) 878-2226

SERVICE TIMES

Worship services are held Sundays at 10 am.

Church Office Hours:
Monday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday 8:00 am - Noon

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