Dear Friends,
As I’m certain you are aware, we are in a season of transition as a church. Back in the Fall, Josiah Brown, our Pastor of Student Ministries, announced that he is taking a position as pastor of Chandler Friends Church where both Courtney and he grew up. In response, our first call was to Katelyn Sanders. In January our church coordinators approved Katelyn to serve as our new Pastor of Student Ministries! We are sad about Josiah’s departure and also thrilled that Katelyn has agreed to join us!
Next, David Bridges resigned in January—effective February 28th—after 23 years of ministry with us and 18 years leading us. While we didn’t expect God to move quickly, we are excited about having Josh and Marcy Bunce and their family in town again this weekend to explore further whether God is leading Josh to join our staff in Friendswood. I’m both sad about David’s departure and excited about the giftedness and calling that Josh would bring to our church!
This morning, I’m excited to celebrate in two very different ways an additional two announcements. I’ll start with this note from Janet Black, our Pastor of Children’s Ministries:
When I married Bobby Black on June 2, 1984, I had been a widow raising three children and he took on the entire package. I told him, “We have to go to church,” and he told me he wanted us to go to the Friends Church. I asked him, “What kind of church is that?” and he told me, “Quaker.” Well, I told him that, “I guess you want me to look like the guy on the oatmeal box!” I knew very little about these “Quakers.”
Then Janet and Bob Hayes came on an early evening visit to welcome us after our first Sunday. They were greeted by Chrisi (4) in her towel from her bath. I was assuring them that it was alright to come in when James (18 months) lost his towel and was carrying a corning ware dish full of green peas he retrieved from the refrigerator. Kenny (7) was just watching the chaos at the front door on Bayou Oak. Bob and Janet could not resist the invitation to come inside. We all laughed about that day for a while. That was how my journey as a Quaker began. I soon realized that being a Quaker was exactly what God had prepared me for.
Bobby and I added Molly to the big happy family in 1987. I volunteered to teach the 3–5-year-old children’s Sunday School for about 10 years. After teaching in Pearland ISD for 18 years, I got a call asking me if I was interested in being the Friends Children’s Pastor. My first reaction was “What?!” But I am so thankful I made the decision to retire from public schools and spend my last 21 years loving Friendswood Friends Church! A couple of generations of children have come through our Sunday schools since then. I am serving some of the children of children I taught over these past years.
So, my dear Friends, it is time. After 28 years teaching in public schools and now 21 years teaching and serving here at Friendswood Friends – I am retiring! It has been a wonderful ride. I have always felt love and support during my years leading Children’s Ministry. Thank you! I will finish leading Dude Camp, Children’s Church and Vacation Bible School this summer, and my last day will be July 31st. Hugs, Janet ?.
Janet has been a beloved servant of the church, our families, and our children for 21 years now. I’ve had the privilege of working closely with Janet for all 18 years that I’ve worked here at Friendswood Friends Church. We will miss her work dearly and are excited to see what retirement has for her. While we expect to still see her around church—she has communicated her intention to continue to worship here and volunteer as she feels led—we will make sure to give her a good “send-off” in July and celebrate well her ministry among us!
Which leads to the second announcement for this morning. When Janet told me that it was time to retire, the first phone call that Matt Wilber and I made was to Tena Roher. While her initial response was doubtful, she obediently took the time to pray and discern and has had a clear sense of God’s leading to serve our church. She is our clear first-choice for this, and we are thrilled that she has said “yes!”
The church Stewards have approved a financial package that she has accepted, and last night our church Coordinators approved Tena Roher as our Pastor of Children’s Ministries. I know that I won’t have to tell those of you who know Tena how excited we are that she is joining our pastoral team! In case you don’t know Tena well, I asked her to write a 3-5 sentence bio about herself:
My name is Tena Roher (Tena with an “e”), married to Nathan Roher (not to be confused with my sister-in-law, Tina Roher with an “i,” married to Thad Roher). We have four amazing children: Elaina, Sallianne, JT, and Nate.
I graduated from Barclay College with a bachelor’s degree in Bible and Christian Ministry, and then I later earned my teaching certification for early childhood through 6th grade. Most recently I have been teaching kindergarten or first grade at Westwood Elementary where I am currently a team leader.
I have loved volunteering at the church in various roles, from helping with high school youth, coaching the Junior High Bible Quiz team, teaching Sunday School, leading gym kids, helping with Dude Camps, and going on several of the short term missions trips.
Tena will begin on August 1st of this year, and has already informed her administration and coworkers at Westwood Elementary of her departure. She will be extremely missed by our school district, as she has been one of the most beloved Kindergarten and First Grade teachers. Please join me in praying for FISD to find a good fit for next year as well.
I’m beyond excited about how God is moving unexpectedly in our church. God is good, and God is clearly taking care of us in this season of transition. Help us to celebrate Janet well these next few months, and let’s celebrate and welcome Tena Roher to our pastoral team at the church!
Blessings in Christ,
Bobby Kirkpatrick