When we saw our almost sixteen-month-old grandson recently, we discovered that he had learned to wave goodbye to people and to say something approximating “bye-bye.” And that reminded me that we always seem to be saying goodbye to something or someone. Time marches on, and we have to adjust to changes and losses. But change is not always easy, and I think we sometimes move along too quickly, without taking time to recognize what or whom we are losing.
It is with that in mind that I would like to encourage all of us to recognize the legitimate sadness that we may be feeling about leaving the Goebel Center. After all, we have been spending Sunday mornings and other times there for almost eleven years now, and there are a great many memories for us to recall. I think about my installation as the settled minister of CVUUF in October of the year 2000, the Annual Dinner shows each spring, new member inductions, baby dedications, Coming of Age ceremonies, and the Bridging rituals for graduating high school seniors. And there are so many more.
So I would encourage all of us to take time out now to compile our own lists of positive memories about the Goebel Center as we prepare to move into our new home on Old Conejo Road in Newbury Park. And we need to share some of those stories with each other and those who haven’t experienced them. We will be forming new memories after our move. But, for now, I think we need to rest on the edge of that time and savor what we have shared. What are some of the important things for you? Let’s not move so rapidly into the future that we forget to honor the experiences of the past. They will become the foundation of our future together, and we need that foundation to be strong.
Blessings,
We are in the final stages of construction and finishing on both of our new buildings and we are now better able to formalize and finalize our moving-in plans and events. The Sanctuary has just been painted and many of the finishing touches are under way. For many of you that have been able to visit the site recently, a common reaction is how it is starting to look and feel like a church. When it is all finished with our stage, seating, new piano, window coverings, and lighting, we hope it will allow us to finally have a truly worshipful and comfortable space. The Fellowship Hall is a little behind schedule, but all the trades are now moving at warp speed to get everything completed.
In my last note, I mentioned we were planning our first service for a date in early May, but fate has taken care of my unbridled optimism. We are now all converging on a new date that appears to allow for most contingencies. On Sunday, May 25 , we expect to celebrate our first worship services together in our new home. We will be starting out with multiple services, the first at 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m., and the second service at 11:00 a.m. till Noon. There will be a social hour (45 min.) between the two services and after the second service. Our full Religious Education program for our children and youth will run concurrently with the earlier service and there will be a minimal R.E. program during the second service. Many of our regular Sunday programs will need to be readjusted for our new schedule. These plans will be announced as we get closer to the move-in date.
Another major event coming in the near future is our Annual Fellowship Show. Invitations have been sent out to everyone and the show will be presented in our new home on two evenings, Friday, May 30 , and Saturday, May 31 Because of the space in our new Sanctuary, we need to have two performances and we are changing from our traditional potluck dinner to an offering of decadent desserts and specialty coffees. Advance tickets for the two shows will be required and will be available after services in the next few weeks. These are exciting times for our Fellowship as we transition into our new house and make it into a cherished home that is worthy of our commitment and dedication.
In fellowship,
