Dear Friends of The Falls Church Episcopal,

"To everything there is a season," we're reminded in Ecclesiastes, and as we close out the season of Lent and enter the season of Easter, we want to update you on several important changes happening at The Falls Church Episcopal.

The first of these changes regards administration.
With our congregation size more than four times what it was just six years ago, we are stretched in our ability to support all the amazing programs, activities and functions of our parish. We are in the bittersweet position of having outgrown our previous ways of doing things.

And so, as shared in our January Annual Report , we are in the search process for a full-time Parish Administrator, who will focus on operations, administration, and overseeing finance and communications.

A benefit of that change regards adult Christian formation .  
The primary intention of bringing on board a Parish Administrator -- we hope by mid-June -- is to free up John and Kelly's time so they can return to what they love most, and do best: pastor, preach, and teach. Having a Parish Administrator on staff will mean more adult Bible studies and other Adult Christian formation opportunities, additional worship opportunities, and more proactive pastoral care for adults.

The second of these changes regards children's and youth ministries.
Much of our growth in the past six years has come from families with children joining our church. Much of the reason our children's ministries have grown so rapidly is the creativity and energy of Nina Bacas, our Associate for Parish Life and Families, who works part-time.

"In five years, I feel like I have gained 20 years of ministry experience," says Nina. "I've had the honor of witnessing this church grow from a tiny fledgling to a soaring eagle."

The vestry has determined that it is time to hire a full-time children's minister, and a part-time or full-time youth minister in response to the growth of these ministries. (The number of children enrolled in Sunday School has grown from a dozen in 2012 to over 100 in 2018; by 2020 there will be at least 60 middle and high schoolers in our programs.)

To find the best model, and the best persons for the children's and youth programs, we have hired  Ministry Architects to advise on our programs and conduct searches and we have formed a committee of parents, Sunday school teachers, and youth leaders to advise us in the process. As part of this visioning process, all interested parties will be invited to participate in an assessment, which begins on April 8th.

"The consultants will polish our programs for the future, and bring in a family minister that meets their model for growth," says Nina. "These are exciting times."

Nina has poured her heart and soul into this job and has shaped the church as we know it today. It was Nina who started the Alternative Gift Market, Superbowl Sub Sunday, Mid-Summer Festival, Easter Festival, Godly Play Pageants, Children's & Youth Sunday, Vacation Bible School, Youth Outreach Week, and Godly Play Storytelling in the Day School. She found funding and built the Cherub Chapel Room, the Godly Play Room and the Day School Children's Garden (featured on the website of Episcopal Relief & Development). Nina has shepherded over 100 baptisms at The Falls Church and has been an enduring advocate for the needs of our families.

These initiatives and programs were not just in response to the growth we've seen, they have been the cause of much of it. However, at this time in her life, Nina cannot commit to full-time children's ministry.

"The Falls Church has filled my life for the past five years. The church and its people have left a profound imprint on my heart," says Nina. "I look forward to hearing about your continued growth. Know that I'll be cheering you on!"

Nina's last day with us will be Sunday, June 17th, at the Children's & Youth Sunday service at 10am in the Historic Church. The service will be followed by a festive coffee hour in the Fellowship Hall to celebrate Nina and the wonderful ways she has faithfully loved and served God through loving and serving children and families. More information about that event, about transition plans for children's ministries (including the interim, summertime employment of Sarah Bentley Allred, our seminarian) and about other ways we will honor and thank Nina, will be shared in the coming weeks.
 
In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns about any of these developments, please don't hesitate to contact me.
 
"Glory to God, whose power working in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever."    -- Ephesians 3:20
 
Faithfully yours,


The Rev. John Ohmer, Rector
The Falls Church Episcopal