Great progress in my church work

This seems like a good time to share with you the great progress I've experienced in my church work this year. It's certainly been a newness of spirit, and I'm so grateful.

In April I took the job as manager of our Reading Room. This is the second time I've done this, and the first time was not happy at all. I felt unsupported, criticized and resigned. I did the best I knew how, as did others, I know. But this time, my own growth had me embracing it with pure devotion, courage, energy, love. And the Board members, especially my Board contact, were 100% supportive, encouraging, prayerful.

There was a period, soon after taking over, after the murder of the RR librarian in Ottawa, when I was frightened by being in the Reading Room alone. As were others. But... that faded. I can hardly remember that struggle. 

Feeling God's guiding influence so much, I also saw my troubled sense about dealing with six large window spaces to care for, blossom into a real delight in the newness and beauty of them and their effectiveness. The board gave me a monthly advertising budget, and a lively and creative woman joined the – and it's been a joy. 

New ideas on staffing, and how to have 'no-longer-than-30-minute-conference-call meetings' every 3 months has been appreciated, and there's a deepening spirituality, I think. Our hours have increased by 63%, including one evening (6 days a week, 6 hours a day and 8 hours on Thursday).  While I'm there 3 days a week, there are 15 others who are coming in for 3 hour shifts at least once a month, and some once a week. It seems like a wonderful way to have continuity, as well as wider participation. One woman, who recently joined and had signed up to work once a week, is so busy with her CS practice that she could not come in last week. Her husband, who is a deep CSt, but had not yet felt impelled to join the branch, came in for her shift. He was so inspired by his afternoon in the RR that he took out a membership application the next day at church.  

Our congregation is in the process of selling our edifice (we are not selling our church!) and there's a wide and quiet sense about what our resources are (it is so much more than money) and where we want to be directing our resources... and it's not bricks and mortar. 

I am so grateful for the generous spirit of Spirit that has sustained me and impels me and reassures me.