Almost exactly ten years ago, the letter that announced the Congregational Meeting to call the Reverend Rebecca Kirkpatrick to join the BMPC pastoral staff described a process that considered 77 individual pastors, ten phone conversations with potential candidates, and four in-person interviews from a strong pool of candidates. The letter concluded with these words from the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee:
We felt called to Rebecca based upon her passion for education and mission, length of large-church experience, and her depth and breadth of mission experience. We believe that she will bring wonderful gifts to BMPC and be a great addition to our pastoral staff… Confident that the guiding power of the Holy Spirit was at work among us, we are sure in our selection of Rebecca to serve as our Associate Pastor for Adult Education and Mission.
This coming Sunday is Pentecost, when we remember God’s powerful and compelling gift of the Holy Spirit to enliven the church for mission. It’s the perfect day to celebrate Rebecca’s ten years of ministry at BMPC. The expectations that were given voice in the joyful announcement of her arrival a decade ago have more than come to fruition. Rebecca has strengthened our local and global mission partner relationships; grounded our adult education offerings in theological and biblical reflection of pertinent issues facing church and culture; and brought creative energy to our worship and programmatic offerings. Her gifts for teaching, preaching, pastoral care, and administration have blessed this church in many and varied ways.
What a joy to celebrate Rebecca’s ministry among us on Pentecost when we give thanks for the gift of the Holy Spirit, giving birth to the church and continuing to nurture us for mission to the far ends of the earth! Join us for worship and plan to stay for a special reception in Congregational Hall, where you can greet Rebecca and thank her for sharing her extraordinary gifts with this congregation and community.
