September 2026 TCC Newsletter
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After three months on sabbatical, I am finally back! I am so grateful to everyone who helped make that happen. In late May I came to the elders and told them that I was really struggling, and beginning to worry about burnout. The elders were incredibly supportive, and very quickly arranged for me to take a sabbatical. Unfortunately, the timing meant that there was no chance to announce the sabbatical before Casey and I left for the anniversary trip we had planned. So if the announcement seemed rather sudden to you, that’s because it came together suddenly!
Not only did the elders commit to making the sabbatical happen, but a lot of others stepped up to play new roles in the Sunday service and the operations of the church. I am so grateful, and so proud of all of you! I am still catching up on what happened here over the summer, but I already know that this church continued to worship and do ministry, and even put on good events that were planned after I had left. To me, that is a sign of a good church: that the whole body comes together to do the work. Well done!
But what about my side of the sabbatical? Why did I need it? What did I do with it? You’ll hear more about that from me over the coming months. There’s no secrets—it’s just a long uninteresting story of how I developed unhelpful patterns and mindsets in ministry that led to too much on my shoulders, and then a (hopefully) more interesting story about how God used the last three months as a “dry dock” to help me work on those patterns away from the responsibilities of ministry. If the elders didn’t share many details, it’s just because they didn’t want to speak for me. For now, I just want you to know that this past summer has been deeply meaningful and helpful for me as your minister, and I am excited to be back among my church family.
There is one last thing I want to say about this sabbatical. From the beginning, the elders and I were determined that the goal of this summer would be sustainable ministry—meaning that we wanted to find a better way to do things so that I wouldn’t need a sabbatical just to avoid burnout. That means that I cannot just go back to the ways I used to do things—and neither can the congregation. We have a chance here to continue growing into the church God has called us to be, where every member of the body has a part to play, and the whole church is better for sharing the work together. I’m really looking forward to what God is going to in this next stage. I hope you are too!
Not only did the elders commit to making the sabbatical happen, but a lot of others stepped up to play new roles in the Sunday service and the operations of the church. I am so grateful, and so proud of all of you! I am still catching up on what happened here over the summer, but I already know that this church continued to worship and do ministry, and even put on good events that were planned after I had left. To me, that is a sign of a good church: that the whole body comes together to do the work. Well done!
But what about my side of the sabbatical? Why did I need it? What did I do with it? You’ll hear more about that from me over the coming months. There’s no secrets—it’s just a long uninteresting story of how I developed unhelpful patterns and mindsets in ministry that led to too much on my shoulders, and then a (hopefully) more interesting story about how God used the last three months as a “dry dock” to help me work on those patterns away from the responsibilities of ministry. If the elders didn’t share many details, it’s just because they didn’t want to speak for me. For now, I just want you to know that this past summer has been deeply meaningful and helpful for me as your minister, and I am excited to be back among my church family.
There is one last thing I want to say about this sabbatical. From the beginning, the elders and I were determined that the goal of this summer would be sustainable ministry—meaning that we wanted to find a better way to do things so that I wouldn’t need a sabbatical just to avoid burnout. That means that I cannot just go back to the ways I used to do things—and neither can the congregation. We have a chance here to continue growing into the church God has called us to be, where every member of the body has a part to play, and the whole church is better for sharing the work together. I’m really looking forward to what God is going to in this next stage. I hope you are too!
As we look forward to the start of a new school year, our team has been reflecting on how we can deepen the connection between our preschool students and our wonderful church congregation. We believe that our children have so much to learn from your wisdom, experiences, and kindness.
To help us grow closer together, we are introducing a new project for the school year! You will find a white mailbox located near our preschool mailboxes at the end of the hallway. We would love to receive mail from you throughout the year. Whether it is a short note, a postcard, or even some fun stickers, your messages will be a joy for the children to receive.
Attached to this letter, you will find our school year schedule, which outlines our monthly themes, Bible stories, and verses. We would love for your mail to connect with those topics—for example, we are currently exploring all things "School," and next month we will be diving into everything "Farm." Beyond our monthly curriculum, we would also love to hear from you regarding things like the current season or any upcoming holidays! Whether you want to share a little nugget of knowledge, an interesting fact, a favorite tradition, or a cool photo, please feel free to drop a note in our mailbox. When you leave something for us, simply lift the red flag on the side of the box to let us know that mail has arrived.
We encourage you to print the attached calendar and keep it somewhere visible in your home as a reminder to send us a note throughout the year. We are so excited for the months ahead and cannot wait to learn from all of you.
Thank you for being such an important part of our preschool family.
To help us grow closer together, we are introducing a new project for the school year! You will find a white mailbox located near our preschool mailboxes at the end of the hallway. We would love to receive mail from you throughout the year. Whether it is a short note, a postcard, or even some fun stickers, your messages will be a joy for the children to receive.
Attached to this letter, you will find our school year schedule, which outlines our monthly themes, Bible stories, and verses. We would love for your mail to connect with those topics—for example, we are currently exploring all things "School," and next month we will be diving into everything "Farm." Beyond our monthly curriculum, we would also love to hear from you regarding things like the current season or any upcoming holidays! Whether you want to share a little nugget of knowledge, an interesting fact, a favorite tradition, or a cool photo, please feel free to drop a note in our mailbox. When you leave something for us, simply lift the red flag on the side of the box to let us know that mail has arrived.
We encourage you to print the attached calendar and keep it somewhere visible in your home as a reminder to send us a note throughout the year. We are so excited for the months ahead and cannot wait to learn from all of you.
Thank you for being such an important part of our preschool family.
Pamela Pacheco
Pam Pacheco came forward on Sunday, August 16th to become a member of the Turner Christian Church congregation. We welcome Pam to the fellowship of TCC!
The Seniors are headed out again! This time to Lincoln City, where they will enjoy the beach and have lunch together at Mo's. If you would like to join, please register online,
with Sharon Teixeira, or with the church office.
https://turnerchristianchurch.subspla.sh/92rfzqd
with Sharon Teixeira, or with the church office.
https://turnerchristianchurch.subspla.sh/92rfzqd
News Flash from the Food Bank
Due to increased client numbers and decreased amounts of food being received from Marion Polk Foodshare, our Food Bank has been subsidizing with the money raised during last fall’s Food Drive. Those funds are also running low at this time, and we find the need to ask for help in providing food for our clients each Monday morning. We have receptacles in the foyer in which to receive food items, and you may also contribute by giving funds to our Food Bank account at TCC.
Thank you for contributing as you are able.
Thank you for contributing as you are able.
Sunday
Gary Tiffin, Frank Musgrave or Frank Loyd lead a class each Sunday morning
at 9:00 am using the Standard Sunday School Curriculum.
JD Remy also leads a class each Sunday morning at 9:00 am.
The group is studying the Book of Ecclesiastes.
Monday
Frank Loyd leads the Men’s Study and Discussion Group on Monday mornings at 8:00 am in the Fellowship Hall. They are studying the Book of 1 Corinthians.
Tuesday
Gary Tiffin leads an Online Zoom Sermon-Based Small Group on Tuesdays at 9:00 am.
(Call Gary or the church office for information on how to join this group)
Wednesday
The Women’s Bible Study, led by Kris Jakubowski will resume meeting each Wednesday evening at 6:00 pm begining September 9th, studying “A Jesus Shaped Life” by Lisa Harper. Please register online so we can order books.
Gary Tiffin, Frank Musgrave or Frank Loyd lead a class each Sunday morning
at 9:00 am using the Standard Sunday School Curriculum.
JD Remy also leads a class each Sunday morning at 9:00 am.
The group is studying the Book of Ecclesiastes.
Monday
Frank Loyd leads the Men’s Study and Discussion Group on Monday mornings at 8:00 am in the Fellowship Hall. They are studying the Book of 1 Corinthians.
Tuesday
Gary Tiffin leads an Online Zoom Sermon-Based Small Group on Tuesdays at 9:00 am.
(Call Gary or the church office for information on how to join this group)
Wednesday
The Women’s Bible Study, led by Kris Jakubowski will resume meeting each Wednesday evening at 6:00 pm begining September 9th, studying “A Jesus Shaped Life” by Lisa Harper. Please register online so we can order books.
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