Hello Lovely Families,

Barbara here with some news to share. For the past couple years I have been growing towards a discernment and, most recently, have felt the “fullness of time” to end my working for City Church San Francisco. This job, my coworkers, you all, and your children have been with me for eleven years, through so much! And now I am hearing what I can best discern as the still small voice saying, “It’s ok,” to lay down the mantle of my job as your Children’s Ministry Director.

There is still good work to do. And I still want to be a part of our life together. So, while I will be leaving my role, I still plan to be part of the City Church community, worshipping with you all and your children. This transition comes with a desire to be as fully present as possible to my family of origin and my own family as we prepare to say goodbye to my Mom and send two kids off to college over the next couple of years. There are, of course, many ideas rattling around in my head of what may be next, but it feels clear to me that my next most faithful step is entering fully into the work of laying fallow, entering the rest. I am planning on rolling off staff this summer, about July 1st.

In our talking, Hilary had a couple great ideas! One was to make sure I got to hang out in the Gym a few Sunday mornings before I officially roll off. So, I’ll be spending some Sundays storytelling for the 3-year-olds through Kindergarteners. And, two, was to ask the children if there was anything they might want to do with me. So, I will be asking the children for their best ideas as to what we should do together before I roll off staff.

And now, if you don’t mind, I’d love to share the news with your children in my own words. Here are my words for your children:

Hello Lovely Children, 

Barbara here with some news for you. Yesterday I talked to Pastor Emily and the other City Church staff and let them know that it was time for me to stop doing my job as Children’s Ministry Director of City Church. I will keep doing my job until this summer, about four more months. Even after I stop doing my job, I am still planning on coming to church, so we will still see each other on Sunday mornings. (I also LOVE being invited to birthday parties, park playdates, and school performances!) I am feeling peace AND sadness about this.

Making a decision like this is hard, even for grown-ups. The first thing I did was to listen to my body and tell God what I was feeling. Then, I asked God all my questions. (What does this mean? Why do I feel like this? What job will I have if I stop this one?) And then I asked some Jesus-following friends to ask God my questions with me. AND THEN all of us together listened for what God might say back to us. 

Listening to God feels a lot like paying attention. I have paid attention to the stories we tell on Sunday mornings, the words of my friends, and the feelings in my body. There are many pictures, words, and stories that have given me helpful information. The biggest and best answer I’ve gotten is God saying, “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you. I love you.” That doesn’t answer a lot of my questions, but it does make me feel more peaceful and more brave. Whatever I do, God goes with me.

I have loved being your Children’s Ministry Director. And I am going to love being your Sunday-morning church-friend. If you have any questions for me, I’m happy to answer as best I can. 

And now I have a question for you! I have loved all of our fun moments we’ve had together! And my question is, is there anything you’d like us to do together to celebrate my time being your Children’s Ministry Director. What fun things should we do? 

And, then, I’d like to ask you to pray for me, my family, and for who might be our next Children’s Ministry Director. Let’s talk to God about it together and pay attention to what God does.

There’s more to talk about and I look forward to chatting with you about it.

All My Love, 

Barbara