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President’s Address, April 19, 2026
Greetings, Shadow Rock family!
I promised myself I’d keep this update short… and then realized there is simply too much good work happening, too many people to thank, and too much to celebrate. So here is the best “short” version I can offer.
I want to begin by expressing deep gratitude to our Pastoral Search Team. Their commitment has been extraordinary. They have spent countless hours reviewing profiles, interviewing candidates, and discerning who might be the right fit for Shadow Rock. We can trust that whoever they ultimately recommend will be someone who aligns with our values and vision. If we were paying them by the
hour, we’d be in trouble!
As we prepare to bid farewell to Pastor Ken, our hearts are filled with both sadness and gratitude. His retirement at the end of June, with June 28 th marking his final Sunday as our Senior Minister, will undoubtedly leave a significant void in our community. While it is difficult to see him go after 18 years of dedicated service, we wholeheartedly wish him happiness and fulfillment in the next chapter of his life. Pastor Ken has poured so much of himself into Shadow Rock, and now he truly deserves the rest, adventure, and joy that retirement brings. We will honor his incredible journey with a retirement celebration toward the end of June—details to come.
We continue to make steady progress toward our new organizational model. This work is complex and interconnected, but the goal is clear: to free our next pastor from tasks that do not require pastoral leadership—things like facilities oversight and administrative load—so they can focus on ministry, care, and vision.
To support this shift:
- Michelle is taking on many of the financial responsibilities previously handled by Heidi.
- Heidi will step more fully into the Director of Operations role.
- Lois will transition into the Care and Compassion position, offering ongoing support to the new pastor and to the congregation.
Each of these moves strengthens our foundation for the future.
Part of preparing for a new pastor is ensuring our policies and procedures are clear, current, and written down. Much of our institutional knowledge lives only in people’s heads, and it’s time to capture it. Tony Spencer is leading this effort, and we would welcome additional help—especially from anyone with experience writing procedures. Please reach out to Tony or to me if you’re willing to assist.
The Bylaws Team, led by Sharon Haynes, has been hard at work updating our bylaws and Articles of Incorporation. They have collaborated with legal counsel to ensure everything aligns with state and federal requirements and accurately reflects how we operate. Once we receive the final documents, we will share them with the congregation and schedule town halls for discussion.
Thanks to your generosity, the Cool Cash Campaign raised $157,475, including a generous $50,000 gift from an anonymous donor. These funds make it possible for us to replace the two A/C units that cool the sanctuary windows—an important and timely upgrade for our community. If you’ve seen the photos in Rock The Week, you know the progress is well underway. Special thanks to Roy and Heidi for getting this project started.
Many thanks to Heidi, Cindy (our Treasurer), and the Financial Oversight Team for preparing the budget. The Board has approved it, and we will bring it to the congregation for a vote on May 3.
The Festival Garden Team continues to pour creativity and care into making the garden a sacred and welcoming space. After the 8:00 a.m. Easter service, as people were gathering their things, my grandson said, “I would like to just stay here and enjoy this beautiful place.” Only the promise of Easter breakfast convinced him to leave. That says everything.
Our work in immigration justice continues through the monthly Know Your Rights support group and through Pastor Ken’s ongoing engagement with community partners and emerging needs.
The development phase of Spiritual Play is now complete. We are deeply grateful to Cindy Hoard for her vision and dedication in creating this program. Liz Curry will serve as the coordinator going forward. If you’ve seen the photos in Rock the Week, you know how much joy and energy this ministry brings.
Our commitment to community involvement is ongoing—we host B3 theater, recovery groups, legislative groups, town halls, the NAMI Family to Family support group, and a Boy Scout troop, along with many other organizations that are too numerous to list. Additionally, we have five weddings planned for the remainder of 2026.
And finally, the SR Preschool continues to be a bright spot in our community. Every month, reading Jeane-Marie’s report brings a smile to my face. The 2025–2026 preschool enrollment is 102 students, and our 2026–2027 enrollment is currently at 90 children, right in line with where we were at this time last year. We are feeling positive about steady interest and continued growth in our program.
As always, we are on the lookout for caring individuals who want to spend their days with adorable children, a fun staff and a supportive director. If you know of anyone who fits that description, let Jeane-Marie, the preschool director, know!
While many of our activities offer clear, measurable outcomes, welcoming the future as a community is harder to quantify. Yet, we move forward together with purpose and grace. Shadow Rock is alive with creativity, hope, and vibrant worship thanks to Pastor Ken, Tanner, and all who share their gifts.
Each day, acts of care and responsiveness reflect our community’s strength. We appreciate everyone’s valuable contributions to the growth and sustainability of this community. We have much to celebrate!
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Merritt, President
President@shadowrockucc.org
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