Quick News From Jane Jane Fisler Hoffman, Interim Conference Minister Hello, dear friends in Christ! Likely you have enjoyed the slimness of your email 'in box' while I was at Interim Training and on vacation!  And you have already received two important quick news items from me.  So I will try to keep this short.    First I want to thank you for making it possible for me to attend the Interim Ministry Network introductory training, held in Kansas City.  It was very worthwhile and I hope that I will be more effective in ministry with you as a result.  I'm still discerning whether to take the next stage of training....There is a sense in which every pastor should, in my view, think of ourselves as 'interim' in that we need to resist feeling so settled that we never challenge anything in our place of ministry for fear of losing that place.  And a by-word of interim ministry is to be a 'non anxious presence' in our ministry, another value that I think every pastor might embrace---hard as that can be in the intense or difficult times.     After the training, I am more convinced than ever that whenever possible, at times of pastoral transition, a trained intentional interim minister is an important asset for a congregation.   There is so much important transitional ministry that an intentional interim can guide that will contribute to a stronger, healthier experience with the next 'settled' minister.    Concerning our Conference interim/transition time, I want to give thanks to God for the amazing group of Conference leaders who gathered in mid August to plan for the next stages of the transition time in this Conference.  Our Board, the newly appointed Search Committee, Association Moderators, our Conference Ministry Assistants and others gathered on August 1-2 to plan for those next steps, including a Conference self-study and assessment of the strategic plan.  I hope you will thank your leadership for some truly productive work.  You will be hearing more soon about the process ahead and how YOU and your congregation will be involved.   As part of this transition time, the Board is appointing several Interim Implementation Teams to implement the priorities of the current strategic plan (Youth and Young Adults, Community in Diversity and Church Development and Revitalization) as well as a brand new Information, News and Communication team (INC).  It is the hope of the Board and your staff that these will help not just maintain life in this Conference but keep us moving in lively mission for God.   Speaking of lively mission, as you approach the fall program season of local church life, I hold all of you in prayer.  I know that this is an exciting and energizing time of year but also a time and energy demanding time for pastors and other leaders.  May you hold to Christ, the center, and to his mission of love, peace and justice and may the Holy Spirit grant you POWER for this season of ministry for God and God's people.   In Christ,   Jane