Msg. from new Synod Director of Evangelical Mission, Rev. Tita Valeriano

Transition: A gift and a challenge

Transitions in life are sometimes hard and frustrating, yet can be also an inspiring and fulfilling experience.

I am in the midst of transition in my new call as the Synod’s Director for Evangelical Mission. I am learning more about our congregations in the synod as I listen, meet and pray with them. I am very encouraged and hopeful about the focus in our church on Congregational Vitality and Leadership Development, as I attend the DM staff meeting gathered around the theme “Who we are/Who are we.” Pastor Ruben Duran, the new Director of Congregational Vitality, reminded us in his sermon during the opening service that our identity is grounded in our baptism, where we are claimed equally as children of God. I am seeing that these transitions in staff and process could be a genuine opportunity to holy encounter, one that strengthens identity and seeks a deeper understanding and life giving expressions of who we are as church.

I do not feel alone in this transition because our baptism sealed our relationship with a Gracious God and with one another. No congregation, be it in transition or not, is alone, because we are part of one Body in Christ. I am excited about the opportunity to serve with you as we respond to God’s mission. I also invite you to pray with me for our work together, for our communities, for our congregational, synod and churchwide leadership, for renewed passion for mission, for courage and willingness to say “yes” to holy opportunities to do mission where God is already present and active. Remember the words of St. Paul to the church in Ephesus, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)

God’s promise in calling us: such is the only thing that is constant in our transitions as people of God together, and in various ways God calls us towards transformation, reconciliation and empowerment even in the midst of challenging times. Thanks be to God.

Rev. Tita Valeriano