A Message from Rev. Terry Kukuk:
Happy New Year! Who knew 2010 would arrive so quickly? Whenever I say 2010 it feels like something from a science fiction movie.
In anticipation of the New Year,
Pastor Terry
Here is a picture of the Kukuk-Shepard family:
I want to thank the congregation for the generous monetary gift and the gifts that made their way onto my desk and eventually into our home. We will use the monetary gift for our expenses in China when we travel and are united with our son, Ian.
We are hopeful that we will travel to China in January. The U.S. immigration is finished with all our paperwork. We are waiting for the Chinese government to issue a travel approval. Once the travel approval has been granted our adoption agency will make appointments for us at the U.S. consulate in Guanzhou. As soon as our consulate appointments are made we will likely travel in 7-14 days. As always, time lines can change for no known reasons.
Jadon will be making the trip with us along with Brad’s father, Woody. We do ask prayers for the following: safe travels, help with jet lag, patience as we will be under a lot of stress, for Jadon and Ian because they will not fully understand what is happening, bonding time that helps all of us grow together as a family.
I have saved 2 weeks of my vacation time for the trip to China. Once our family returns I will have 6 weeks of parental leave.
While I am in China and on leave the Rev. Bill Young, professor of religious studies at Westminster College, will lead our worship services. Bill has preached here before in my absence and he looks forward to worshipping with all of you in the near future.
Our Stephen Ministers, coordinated by Beth Boyce Schlutius and Mike Briggs, along with our Pastoral Care Committee will take care of the pastoral needs of the congregation. We are blessed with many caring individuals in our congregation. If you or a loved one are hospitalized or have a pastoral need arise, please notify the church office. Karen will convey that information to our Stephen Minsters and Pastoral Care Committee.
The Rev. Bill Young along with the Rev. Cecil Culverhouse, honorably retired, have graciously volunteered to assist with any pastoral care situation that is highly sensitive. In addition, should the need arise, they are available for funerals.
I am very confident in the leadership of our committees. I trust that the work and ministry of our congregation will continue, uninterrupted.
While we are in China, we will do our best to keep a daily journal of our adventures for all of you to follow. You can follow our journey at: www.youbelong.net/ianedward.
Thank you for all the love, prayers and support you have given to us. We have been blessed in many ways by this congregation. We look forward to becoming a family of four and sharing with each other the love with which God first loved us.
Ian, Brad, Jadon, and Terry
