The Spirit Moves (and we are, too!)

​The Spirit moves in incredible and unexpected ways. This, I know to be true.

The Spirit moves indeed… and often in ways we might least expect. Honestly, I have a feeling it’s more frequently a question of whether our senses are awakened to the Spirit always moving in our midst.

In my life, it's hard for me to think of moments where I’ve more fully sensed the Spirit’s movement than those times when I’ve been led to move... physically! Perhaps you've found this to be true for you, too. You know... the kind of move with boxes stacked high, a GPS spitting out possible routes, and realtors sharing their expertise on matters of appraisals and down payments and closing costs (oh my!) The act of moving forward on a journey with so much promise, potential, and challenge yet to unfold.

Moving can be an anxiety-producing, yet abundantly exciting time. I recognize those emotions being fully present in the process of my past moves. I can still remember the strange mixture of excitement and anxiety deep in the very marrow of my bones. I felt it when Megan and I moved from Pennsylvania to Richmond, VA for graduate school. It arose again when our journeys took us further south to South Carolina to begin our professional lives together. I felt it once more when we moved even further south to the Southwest Florida coast. In it all, the Spirit moved.

The Spirit continues to move. And in following the Spirit’s leading so, too, we prepare to move once more.

I’m absolutely thrilled to share the news that the congregation of Southminster Presbyterian Church in Boise, Idaho has extended a call for me to serve as their next Pastor, a call I eagerly accepted with gratitude and joy!

The Southminster congregation is a faithful, progressive worshiping community with a solid understanding of who and what God calls them to be about in the world. Their study of scripture has compelled them to active ministries of justice and advocacy locally and beyond. For example, their efforts for medical debt relief and LGBTQ+ equality in the church and culture have led to national recognition throughout the Presbyterian Church (USA). As an out bi pastor in the denomination, Southminster's long-standing support of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians is also particularly meaningful and important for me. In short, although I have just come to know them in the process of seeking a new call, I have been well aware of their faithful presence in the denomination for many years.

As my family went about the work of exploring the congregation and city this past weekend, we were all overwhelmed by the warmth and hospitality. Among many other joys, Megan and I give thanks to God that Layton will have the opportunity to be nurtured in faith by such a loving, inclusive congregation.

I am truly humbled by and grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside the Southminster congregation as their new pastor, as together, we venture boldly into the exciting future to which God guides us all.

The Spirit moves, and the journey continues. Thanks be to God.

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