A Message from the Hill

As an Interim Pastor, I have begun to feel a lot like St. Paul. He traveled throughout Asia Minor,
visiting various people of faith for a short time and then moving on to another city. Millcreek is
my ninth interim assignment since I “retired” in 2016. A person wiser than myself was said, “Life
is filled with hellos and goodbyes. It is what happens in between that matters most.” That to me
summarizes what interim ministry is all about.
In our brief time together, I have come to appreciate being a part of Millcreek. In most interim
assignments, one of the first tasks is dealing with the grief over the pastor’s leaving. There are
a lot of questions. What will we do now? How long before a new pastor comes? What did we do wrong
that the pastor left? Why this long process? Those questions lead to a climate that is ruled by the
grief. Activity slows. There is a depressed spirit. The future is bleak.

Your situation was compounded by not having an interim for five months. When I arrived, I expected
to face the usual anger and depression that usually accompanies grief. There is some of that here,
but I have been excited by the spirit that is present. Your ministry did not stop with the pastor’s
departure. Your outstanding outreach to those in need continues. This is due to your great
leadership. Their focus is beyond, “How will we survive?” Instead they are looking forward to a new
future of faith and witness.
There is a lot of future thinking present. The possibility emerged of a cell tower on the property
that will not only bring in some income, but also improve cell phone and internet service in the
area. The congregation session was filled with good questions and an openness to a new idea.

On Sunday, January 11, following worship, there will be another future presentation. There is a
possibility of using our roof as a solar “farm.” This will not only provide free electric for the
church, but also generate enough electric for future needs. One of those needs is the replacement
of the existing boilers which have a limited useful lifespan of about five years. Looking ahead to
that day, the Council and property people have investigated using heat pumps as a replacement.
Coupled with the solar panels, this will eliminate the use of expensive heating oil with this solar
electric
system. An added perk is that these solar panels are a clean energy system that would be beneficial

to the environment, a responsibility that God has given us. Come on the 11th to hear more of this
exciting possibility.
In addition to these future possibilities, the Call Committee has completed their first task in the
preparation of the Mission Site Profile. This document gives a picture of your congregational life.
Interested pastors will read this profile and decide whether or not they might pursue a call at
Millcreek.
These exciting developments will be addressed at the Annual meeting on January 25. Be sure to
attend this meeting. Your input is important as we move into the future. The Holy Spirit will guide
us as we move their together. As we celebrate the Christmas message of God-with-us, we face the
future with new hope and new possibility.
Peace, Pastor Frank Terhune