by Pastor Tim White
I have been traveling more than I should, but it has given me a chance to pray for our church in a fresh way. I guess a lot is flying around in my brain and heart since the passing of Pastor Marilyn Biggs, Pastor Jean McVay, and Pastor Erskine Austin. We all love their families so much and I want everyone to know how much God did through them in the ministry of Washington Cathedral.
A church that was started from scratch with no prospects or guaranteed means of support. And yet God allowed us to grow to 6,000 in attendance at Christmas and Easter. Now online we had 40,000 watch our Easter service this year. It’s a new time with people challenged understandably in using headsets and computers, rather than to meet in person. But for those that do it is a sweet time of inspiration.
When I speak about staff that have passed on to heaven.; I want everyone to know about the high marks that are a part of our tradition. 220 different Tiny Little Churches that were at the heart of our Great Caring Network. 11 different Ethnic congregations from different linguistic backgrounds.
The church also built 5 different Non-Profit Foundations making a difference in our community and the world. They included: Charity Alliance which did so much for the poorest of the poor; Build the Family Center which helped with marriage seminars, divorce recovery seminars; STEM camps for kids; Vacation Bible School, and EXCEL Business Ministries inspiring and training people to succeed in the marketplace.
Our church also launched a Health Resources Center which forged new territory in Psychology, Neurology and Oncology.. We had an annual Health Fair, sponsored programs for physical fitness for young adult, senior adult, students’ ministries, and sports camps for kids
We also opened Washington Cathedral Seminary one of the first seminaries in our nation for lay people.
We built our present Spirit Falls Sanctuary with a gorgeous waterfall and glass steeple. We built a 24-million-dollar Randy and Rod Recreation Center with a zero-entry pool that was used by senior adult’s exercise classes, kids swim lessons, as well as regular baptisms.
We did have our rough times, and during the 2008 banking crisis we had to sell our property. But we negotiated a tremendous lease to secure the long-term use of our present sanctuary.
Isn’t that an amazing track of accomplishments for our pastoral leaders and lay leaders? But the most important fact is that God is not through with us yet. It will not be easy, but the best is yet to come as we rebuild our Great Caring Network to be better than ever.
So, let’s lift our hands in praise as we recognize that Jesus is alive, and the work is never finished.
You can join us this Sunday at 10:30 am for our In-Person service in Spirit Falls Sanctuary or online via You Tube, Facebook Live or the church apps. I will be sharing on: “What God Doesn’t Do” from James 1:12-18. Please join us!
Your friend for the rest of our lives,
Tim and Jackie White