Pastoral note, from Garrett
Tonight is our first Theology on Tap at Wild Barley Kitchen & Brewery at 7 p.m. This is an informal gathering for conversation over a meal or drink or both. Lee Prophitt and I will lead a discussion on religious freedom.
Baptist historian Walter ‘Buddy’ Shurden defined religious freedom for Baptists in these terms: “Everyone should be able to worship (or not) as they feel led without unnecessary interference by the government. Just as religious freedom involves the freedom to practice religion, it also includes the freedom not to practice religion. If you can't say "no," your "yes" is meaningless. The separation of church and state affords an important constitutional protection of religious freedom for all.” Religious liberty is important to Baptists because of our want to make sure faith is authentic and genuine, rather than coerced by the church or by the state.
It’s time talk about the 2027 budget. Committees will begin making their plans for next year soon. If you have ideas about something a committee or ministry team might want to consider, now is the time. We don’t vote on the budget until late October (typically), but the work begins now in putting it together.
2 notes on staff:
Hannah Riley was originally scheduled to conclude her time as youth minister at the end of July. Our youth ministry role is a subset of our Family Ministry. Our part-time youth minister reports to the Family Minister (Katie Wilke). Hannah has a full-time job as a social worker with the SAISD. However, she is open to staying on with us. We are working on a job description that we believe will be beneficial to the church and to Hannah.
Katie Wilke is away this week in Lake Tahoe as part of the Winks Fellowship she was accepted into last fall through Auburn Seminary. The Winks Fellowship trains leaders in intergenerational approaches to sacred texts focused on children. This fellowship trains its fellows in child centered storytelling, sacred text study training, connection with children’s ministry leaders across the country, and insights necessary to building and maintaining intergenerational worshipping communities.
The renovation is ticking along. The main challenges right now are electrical. A/V work continues. CDI is in the building this week working on the security cameras. The organ will arrive on July 7. On July 6 we would love to have any of you who are willing help us setup chairs in the sanctuary at 2 p.m. The organ needs to have the sanctuary furniture in place so that they can “tune” it appropriately. The utility contractor will finish installing the valve no later than July 8. After this, we will apply for a Certificate of Occupancy. That will take a few weeks. We are on track for re-opening on August 9.
Next week, the San Antonio Youth Chorale will have a homecoming concert on July 2 at 7 p.m. at San Fernando Cathedral. They will be on their choir tour starting this weekend in Santa Fe, NM. You can enjoy a great concert in a great venue next week in the heart of our city. It should be a wonderful evening. You could even grab some BBQ afterward at Pinkerton’s.
Grace and peace,
Garrett Vickrey
Senior Pastor