Erica Berdan Retirement

Family meal - Family news…

Erica Berdan is scheduled to have a total knee replacement this week on Thursday July 25, and she will be taking the month of August to rehab and recover. Be praying for her this week and over the next month for full healing.

That is just part of the news that needs to be shared this morning. Back in May, Erica and I had a conversation about how God would best have her serve in the Kingdom at large and even here at FCC.

Originally when she came on staff it was to cover the front desk part time. I remember interviewing Erica along with Pastor Mike before she took the position. When she left that interview, Mike and I just looked at each other in stunned silence amazed at her level of varied capability. It was a no brainer hire. However, shortly after hiring Erica, Mike gave his notice to move out of his Administrative Pastor role and soon after, Erica’s position became much more than covering the front desk.

Over time, the leadership recognized that an office Admin Assistant was necessary to help shoulder some of the load and so we brought Angela Henderson on staff to help cover some of those day to day office duties so she could devote more of her time to facility use, leadership support, and congregational care issues. (Angela is amazing and even since then as taken on even more responsibilities!)

So many of Mike’s former responsibilities have been distributed throughout the church body, leadership, and current staff. Many of those areas are still in need of pastoral oversight and development, but they are covered. Angela has been handling many of the day to day office duties and she is thriving in it and has some capacity left to attempt to cover a few additional monthly duties.

So, instead of holding a staff position for the sake of it, after serving for almost 3 years on staff at FCC, Erica Berdan will be moving out of her official staff position as Office Administrator. We plan on devoting the final portion of our worship gathering on August 25 to celebrate what God has done in having Erica be part of our ministry staff these past 3 years. More detail about what that celebration will look like and how you can participate in that are forthcoming.

So although Erica, will be moving out of her official ministry paid staff position, she will still be doing the “work of the ministry.”

Starting my 5th season of leading women’s bible studies on Weds mornings.

Continuing with biblical counseling education as well as meeting with my biblical counselees at church and in the community (Lynden Manor)

Returning as AWANA Girls T&T leader

and of course, to support Roy’s role as Elder.

Erica coming off staff also open the door for other staffing possibilities that our leadership team can begin exploring as we seek to align ourselves with what God is doing in our family.

The elders are not tasked with replacing the irreparable. That is impossible. We are looking to see the new thing that God is doing and following Him in His leading.

You can be praying for us, as we have been praying over these things for the last few months.

So, Erica is scheduled to have a total knee replacement on July 25, and will take the month of August to rehab. I am open to support Angela until Fall Kickoff Sept. 8.