Hi Church!

I’m excited to let you know that the Rev. Kimberly Deckel will be joining our staff team! Mtr. Kimberly will be serving our community in the role of Executive Pastor. This is a fleshed out form of the Director of Operations role we originally posted, reflective of her pastoral call and experience. The Deckels will be here in Austin in late November, as they finish up responsibilities in Phoenix and as their daughter, Keenan, completes her first section of the school year. You can read more about the Deckels in thisintroductory letter. 

In addition to her vocation as a priest, Kimberly has extensive experience as a clinical social worker as well as in organizational leadership. She currently also serves as the Director of Operations for the Surge Network, a network of local churches providing theological education, and missional and church planting support in the Phoenix area. I’m looking forward to the ways her thoughtful presence and attentive leadership will bless our community, especially in bringing structure and organization to our shared life. 

Prior to their move later in the fall the Deckels will hopefully be here in Austin and at COTC a couple of times. They’ll be with us on Sunday, September 12th. I am looking forward to you meeting Kimberly, Steve, and Keenan!  Please be praying for them in this time of transition. Please pray that the Lord would guard and shepherd their hearts as they say goodbye to dear friends and rich community in Phoenix and for God’s provision for everything they need as they make the move here. Lastly, please also pray for our community, that we would welcome the Deckels well, and our staff team, with both Kimberly and Sarah Smith joining this fall, that we would grow together in our capacity to serve and lead the church. I’m grateful for who God is calling to join us! 

On Sunday, September 12th COTC we’ll be having our annual Parish Meeting following worship. This meeting reflects the reality that the church is both an organism (a family even!) as well as an institution. That “i-word” gets a bad rap, but it simply reflects the reality that our common life is ordered and organized. At least that’s the hope! As the body of Christ, the church has specific systems and structures like any other body, and gatherings like this meeting are a part of maintaining those systems so that the church can function well and fulfill God’s call for it. If you consider COTC your church community please make every effort to attend. The meeting will be both online and in-person.

At the Parish Meeting we’ll be sharing a bit about the year ahead, reviewing the church’s annual budget, and voting on two new Parish Council members. I am excited that Amanda Hays and Brian Bigelow have agreed to let their names stand. Read their intros here. If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to me prior to the meeting. In next week's enews I'll outline a little more how the Parish Council works together to serve our community.  Karen Walker and Ann White, who have both completed a three year term, will be coming off the council. I’m so deeply grateful for their faithful service to the church. On the 12th we’ll take time to honor and thank them as well. 

Thanks for reading! Even as we continue to muddle through these pandemic affected days, I'm excited for the way God is working among us. I'm looking forward to lifting His name high with you this Sunday! 

In Christ,

Peter+

Ps. The ongoing situation in Afghanistan is truly tragic. Through some connections here in Austin and the Central Texas area COTC is exploring opportunities we have to serve Afghan refugees as a witness to God’s love in Jesus Christ. One of these opportunities involves some of us being trained as a “Welcome Team” through Refugee Services of Texas. If you’re interested in taking advantage of this opportunity please contact Ellyn Steidl, a member of our mission team.