Kate's Musings

June 2, 2022

Rev. Dr. Kate Conolly

Dear Friends,

Time flies when you are having fun! Just one month to go. As we look to one month from now, the Rev. Karyn Richards-Kuan will be your new senior pastor. From everything I have observed and heard of Rev. Karyn – you are receiving a highly relational and very gifted pastor!

The Rev. Carlo Rapanut was with us on May 22nd as part of our preparation for Rev. Karyn’s arrival. Rev. Carlo had a workshop with the congregational leaders after worship. I want to share a few things that stood out to me. Rev. Carlo told us that giving Rev. Karyn the space to lead from her authentic self would be a great gift. A confession: I must admit that I thought I would have to “act” more serious and dignified than I am, here at Portland First. What I have experienced is such grace from you all as I have been allowed to be my authentic self – even as I am running down the aisle late to church. I know you all will give Rev. Karyn the blessing of being allowed to be her authentic self.

Carlo shared with us the turning point for him in his first cross-racial, cross-cultural appointment when he moved from the Philippines to Chugiak, Alaska. It was when his congregation’s curiosity gave space to hear Carlo’s story. As I have listened to some of Rev. Karyn’s sermons which are excellent! (Here is a link to her final sermon at St. Paul’s UMC in Houston). She does a beautiful job of weaving the scripture and her lived experience together. You will be able to learn about her story this way. And I would encourage you to approach conversations with Rev. Karyn with a spacious curiosity about her. I know that Rev. Karyn is going to want to hear your story as well!

Finally, Carlo talked to us about hospitality. He told us that people know an authentic welcome. It is not just about the big celebration at the beginning. The Staff Parish Relations Committee is going to set up all kinds of ways for you to meet Rev. Karyn. I hope that as many of you as possible take advantage of this opportunity. She really wants to meet you and showing that you want to meet her is a wonderful act of hospitality.

These are just a few musings on Rev. Karyn’s impending arrival. I will say this in closing. From my own experience, she is going to be very blessed to be in community with you!

In ministry with you,

Kate