Board Chair Reflections

As I approach the last two months of my term as board chair for our congregation, it seems appropriate to take stock and risk some observations.

When I agreed to take the job in November of 2020, I thought I was going in with my eyes wide open and fully aware of the coming challenges. But nobody could have prepared for the unforeseen shocks and aftershocks that were in store for us.

I was asked recently if I would do it again, knowing what I know now, and I can honestly say I would. While I certainly would not relish the pain and stress, the emotion of which I’m most aware is gratitude.

While I start out with, and emphasize my gratitude to Donna Hollinger and Joe Detrick for their steadfast wisdom during the roller coaster year of 2022, they are truly only the beginning of a long list of folks I feel privileged to have worked with and to have served. The character of the people in our congregation is an asset that towers over the value of our invested dollars and beautiful real estate and is the only asset that makes us truly wealthy.

In my long life, I’ve served on several boards and I can think of none more gifted than ours. As my mother-in-law, without a trace of bias, used to say about her grandchildren, “There’s not a dud among them!”

I’m also immensely grateful to have worked with a talented, dedicated and very perceptive Pastoral Team(s). Our office administrators, Crystal and Brooke and our Facilities Manager, Amy round out a staff that is nothing short of superlative in competence and dedication.

I’m grateful to Kevin Engle for his willingness to assume the responsibilities of board chair. He’s a talented man, well equipped for the job. And I encourage each of you to look for ways to invest your talents and gifts in our congregational life.

I love this congregation and am grateful for your support.

Submitted by Jeff Eisenbise, Board Chair

Good News!

Many of you have already heard the good news that we have hired a new part-time Interim Pastor of Congregational Care. Liz Bidgood Enders has been introduced via an all-church email, introduced in person prior to worship on August 20, and now introduced in this third public notice of a vitally important event in our congregational life.

Liz will be winding down her 17 year ministry with the Ridgeway CoB while simultaneously engaging and ramping up her work with us. Her one-year appointment will begin at ¼ time on September 1 and increase to ½ time on October 1.

We knew when Pastor Pam retired and Pastor Naomi was called to join Pastor Jason in full-time ministry that we were going to be understaffed and would likely require interim help while we assessed our needs and determined an appropriate level and a long-term alignment for our pastoral staff. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a creative, capable and caring person joining our pastoral team.

Please take the time to welcome Liz into our fellowship by introducing yourself to her. You will both be richly rewarded.

Submitted by Jeff Eisenbise, Board Chair

A Request for a Partnership with Elizabethtown College

Over the past several years, Elizabethtown College has made concerted efforts to address the stagnant pattern of a largely homogeneous white campus with high attrition rates for students and faculty of color. Furthermore, college surveys and student experiences reveal local community bias against people of color and students of color often feel unwelcome off campus.

This past winter, several representatives of Etown College Diversity, Equity, and Belonging (DEB) team met with our church pastoral team to discuss a potential partnership between the college and our church community in the interest of collaborating on the task of making not only the college campus, but also the greater Elizabethtown Community, more welcoming to people of color. Our pastors then made a request for involvement to the Witness Commission and the Racial Justice Working Group. There was a strong sense that the partnership would be in line with the mission and goals of our church.

Elizabethtown College is a member of the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), which serves as a catalyst and facilitator for innovations that improve educational quality and equity, and that supports the success of all students.

Among the AAC&U initiatives is the Institute of Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) Campus Centers across the USA, with the purpose of preparing the next generation of leaders to break down systemic racism and dismantle the belief in a hierarchy of human value.

Goals include:

• create positive narrative change about race

• promote racial healing activities on campuses and in the community

• erase structural barriers to equal treatment and opportunity within the economic, legal, educational, and residential components of the community

The primary method of promoting the goals of the TRHT Campus Centers is to facilitate racial healing circles which can be done virtually or in person. The college staff will help to train facilitators to conduct the circle process on the Etown College campus. Our church is invited to participate in circles amongst ourselves and it is hoped that the circles will eventually include leaders in our community.

As I have been asked to serve as a liaison between Etown College and Etown CoB, I am meeting on a regular basis with the Etown College Diversity, Equity, and Belonging team. More information will follow and all church members are invited to participate in truth-telling to create transformative and anti-racist practices, programs, and policies in the interest of repairing harm.

Submitted by Gerry Baer, Racial Justice Working Group