Staff Christmas Party

We just wrapped up 3+ hours of wild, zany celebration that was mixed with tears, hugs, and a whole lot of incredible food. Our staff is a group of 60+ people who fill a variety of roles -- some are paid, others are volunteers, but all have accepted the responsibility for shouldering some significant area of oversight within the functioning of our church family.

Today was especially emotional because we took some time to say our farewells to Dave & Sharlene Brewer who have been interns working shoulder-to-shoulder with us for a whole year. Their family of four heads back to Australia at the end of next week.

We also shed some tears as the staff presented Hilary and I with a group-gift for Christmas, thanking us for our leadership and covering. Then, Hilary and I returned the favor by giving out some little presents of our own to each person.

When you can laugh and cry with a group of people, you know you've found your home. May our church family always be that kind of place -- safe enough to laugh and cry freely. And may we always have plenty of things to laugh and cry about.