Cultivate the handoff

“Pastoring a church is not getting a trophy to keep; it is getting a baton to pass.” Bruce Miller

“How fast you run will keep you in the race; how well you hand off will win it!” Coach Casey

These quotes from The Changeover Zone by Jim Ozier & Jim Griffith have stayed with me as I’ve met with Pastor Julie, the current pastor at First UMC Winnsboro, and as I have talked on the phone with Pastor Pamela, who will start at Epworth in July. This is an important time, this is the handoff zone. When I was on the High School track team. (Go Iroquois Chiefs!) I was primarily a field events competitor (shot-put and discus) but I remember running a few 4x100s. This is a relay race where each girl runs 100 meters or 1/4 of the track. The few times I ran I was the 3rd leg position. As the runner rounds the corner with the baton the recieving runner also needs to be running so the team does not lose momentum on the hand off. Then the receiver throws their hand back with their palm open, thumb out of the way, the baton is smacked into their hand and off they go. This is the season I am in. Running with my hand open, trying not to let anything get in the way, ready to receive the baton...interestingly I’m also the runner coming in to hand off the baton. Finish well. Start well. No stress, right? Kidding aside, I am excited to be in this season of preparation. It is becoming a time of “leaning not on my own understanding” but trusting the coach (God).

As far as some of the logistics, the packing has begun in full earnest...the office and at our parsonage. I think about half the stuff we own is now in boxes! John is wrapping up the semester in the next week or so. John is a physics instructor at USC. Then he will really ramp up his packing efforts. I am trying to think of all the little things Pastor Pamela will need to know as she starts at Epworth, just as Pastor Julie is doing the same for me. I’m also preparing for Catawba Salkehatchie; Epworth is sending 8 residents, 2 staff and myself. I ask for continued prayers that all transition well (the pastors and congregations) and for encouragement in this next chapter of ministry.

First UMC Winnsboro, I looking forward to WINNing with you!  #theCooksWinn

Pastor Meg

Cultivate Change

Well, announcements have been made and change is upon us. I have 10 more weeks to serve as the pastor at Epworth Children's Home before John and I embark on a new chapter.

The Cook's are moving to Winnsboro, SC at the end of June! I have been appointed to serve as the pastor at First UMC Winnsboro. We are excited John can continue to teach Physics at USC; Winnsboro is about a 40 minute drive to the Columbia USC campus.

This change is exciting, bittersweet and so many more emotions.  I will miss the kids.  I have loved with my whole self serving at Epworth. Epworth is an amazing place where God is visibly at work. So much history and I have loved being connected to ALL the United Methodist Churches in South Carolina. Those who know me know that I love it when everyone can be involved. I'm an includer.

Ministry at Epworth Memorial UMC has been beautiful, inspiring, hard and oh so rewarding. My understanding of theology and God has been tempered, forged by some of the harder questions of life. Epworth has also been comfortable; as it is a natural extension of my Christian Education background. Before being appointed to Epworth, I served 15 years as a United Methodist Christian Educator. I have both a Masters of Christian Education and a Masters of Divinity. And while I'm torn, I told John it feels like I'm leaving part of my heart behind, I'm also excited about First UMC. This will be a new kind of adventure. It is a shift away from Christian Education to looking at the whole church. It will be fun to serve a typical congregation with grown ups, families, committees, musicians, a choir, a secretary and a janitor. Somebody pinch me!

I'm excited about the new role, new adventure and new friends we will make along the journey. I'm eager to start. I have so much to learn about what God is already doing at First UMC.

Oh, I came up with a hashtag for our move (and time at First Winnsboro):  #theCooksWinn 

Attitude determines your altitude....and John and I are choosing to look at this move as a win!

First UMC, I looking forward to "winning" with you!

Pastor Meg