Pastoral note, from Garrett

Yesterday at our State of the Church meeting I shared the exciting news that the Personnel Committee (with help from the Faith Formation Task Force) has recommended Katie Wilke be called as our Minister to Families. Katie has been our interim children’s minister since August, and I am thrilled that we have chosen to move forward with her in this role. 

Katie is an A&M grade with a masters in Educational Leadership from SMU. She was a teacher and former principal at Lakewood Elementary in Dallas. She and her husband Jacob have been at Woodland since returning to San Antonio. They actually met at Reagan High School, where they were both in the band. 

After Katie gave the welcome on Sunday morning during the 9 a.m. service, a friend (I won’t say who, but you know who you are) tapped me on the shoulder and said, “We have to keep her!” That’s the plan. We are excited to call her. We will bless this decision at the end of worship on Sunday.  

This Wednesday at 6 p.m., Nicolas Ma will be with us for a special screening of his movie Leap of Faith. Nicolas Ma is an award-winning filmmaker who produced the 2018 documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbor about Fred Rogers. He’s also the son of famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

Leap of Faith is about 12 diverse Christian leaders who struggle to find hope and fellowship at a series of boundary-breaking retreats in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Brought together by Michael Gulker of The Colossian Forum, five women and seven men explore some of today's most contentious issues. The divisions between them become apparent and test both their common belief in the universal importance of love and kindness and the bonds they build over the course of a year.”

Lent is just a few weeks away. And we have a lot going on before and after Ash Wednesday. First, the Pancake Supper on Shrove Teusday. Pancakes and Conversation is an event for all ages on Tuesday, February 17, at 6:30 p.m. in Maresh Hall (including special activities for children). 

Diana Bridges will be leading some spiritual direction classes on Feb 15 and 22. The class will guide us in creating a “Rule of Life.” A rule of life is a shared or personal rhythm of practices that helps us live faithfully, sustainably, and intentionally with God. Look for more info on this class coming soon. 

Grace and peace, 

Garrett Vickrey
Senior Pastor