Sunday 26 February 2023
Dear Friends,
“Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of
God and of Jesus our Lord.” (2 Peter 1 v 2)
At Woodside Community Church of the Nazarene, we have been
journeying together through an intentional interim ministry period.
Part of the intentionality of this interim ministry season was to allow
the church time to connect with a future pastor.
It is with great joy that I can confirm to you that the Local Church
Leadership Team believe that time has now come, and that an excellent
candidate to serve as Pastor has been found.
On Monday 20 February the church board, supported by the pastoral
search team, in a spirit of “…. it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to
us….” (Act 15 v 28) voted unanimously to recommend to the church
membership that the Rev Gary Law be called to serve as Pastor of
Woodside Community Church of the Nazarene in Watford.
In accordance with the manual of the Church of the Nazarene (section
115), a congregational vote, chaired by our District Superintendent the
Rev Carl McCann, will take place on Sunday 26 March following the
morning service. All church members are encouraged to participate in
this vote, and our many friends and adherents at Woodside are
encouraged to be present with us that day to witness the proceedings.
Pastor Gary has already visited Woodside on two occasions and blessed
us with his ministry. His third official visit, with a view to a call, will take
place, one week prior to the congregational vote on Sunday 19 March,
Mothering Sunday, when his family will also join him.
The Pastoral Search Team have met with Pastor Gary not only by way of
due diligence, but also importantly for discussions and conversations
about ministry and mission in the context of Woodside. Throughout
this period of communication, Pastor Gary has testified to a growing
sense of calling to serve Woodside as Pastor, should the church
membership feel prayerfully led to confirm this calling through their
congregational vote.
The Pastoral Search Team will supply further information regarding
Pastor Gary by way of a congregational handout and a presentation to
the church on Sunday 12 March during the morning service.
In the meantime, if anyone has any questions or would like to have
more information, then please do speak with us.
Your prayers as we move towards this significant moment for the
future life of the church would be appreciated.
Thank you.
God Bless you.
Grace and Peace
Tommy
Rev Tommy Goodwin MBE BTh
Intentional Interim Pastor
On behalf of the Local Church Leadership Team (Church Board)
Woodside Community Church of the Nazarene
Watford
mob 07981306007