Christine Treger’s Letter to the Congregation
To the Session, Members and Friends of The Presbyterian Church in Westfield,
It is with gratitude to you all that I write this letter to formally notify you that I am leaving my position as Director of Faith Formation at The Presbyterian Church in Westfield as of April 12th, Easter Sunday.
First, I am grateful to God who called me, in Christ’s name, to this ministry. I am grateful that for 9 years I was able to be a leader in worship and preach quarterly.
Second, I am grateful for everyone’s help and assistance when Ray left me in charge for 6 months, especially Pastors Cindy and Amanda. We “can do all things through Him who strengthens…” us. Phil. 4:13.
Third, I am grateful for your stepping up to volunteer your best to teach Sunday School and volunteer your time at COW (Church on Wednesday). I am especially grateful that you bring or send your kids to Sunday School and COW as well as the All Girls Lock-in, the Johnsonburg 4th and 5th Grade Retreats, Bible 101 family classes, our Intergenerational Summer of Sacraments Instead, VBC, A Walk with Jesus, and meeting the characters in the Birth story of Jesus. I am grateful for your confidence in my selection of a new curriculum which I made more than once.
Fourth, I am grateful for the adults I helped organize into the small groups for the Unbinding and Nooma series and, consequently, I have had the honor of leading countless adult studies.
We have come a long way in meeting folks where they are, Over the last few years it has been a tumultuous time for our beloved church, but it now appears to be on a track that will hopefully allow the church to be the body of Christ.
I see so many God-given gifts among the membership and I would like to encourage you to use them. Teach Sunday School. Volunteer at COW. Go to a Bible study. Remember these words from the Apostle Paul,
“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature personhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…” Ephesians 4:11-13
I am honored to have partnered with you and our Savior in all that was accomplished during my time as Director. After much prayer and deliberation, I do believe that this is the logical time for me to step down into retirement.
Yours in Christ,
Christine Treger
Director of Faith Formation
Click here to read a message from Jeremy Jinkins, Pastor/Head of Staff