I can finally make an announcement that I've been sitting on for a long time now. David has been hired at a church! It's crazy unreal over here. I wish I could personally email or facebook everyone with answers to all of the questions you'll have, but as you can imagine we're a little bit busy with the whole freaking out thing, so here's what I know so far - and if I've missed some crucial piece of information feel free to ask about it in the comments.
Where Is It?
The church is in a very small town (about 566 residents). The surrounding township only has a population of 625, and that includes several small towns. The next nearest town with a larger population has 1279 residents. Approximately an hour away is a city that would likely be our destination for most things.
The nearest Wesleyan church is about an hour away, but is in the US. The nearest Canadian church is about four hours away. So, it's very removed from things.
Where Will We Live?
The position comes with a parsonage, which is a house that we'll live in for the duration of our time there. It's also small, I've been told. Three bedrooms, no dining room and no basement.
What Will David Do?
Well, David currently works shift work, so he'll be 'home' a lot more. I put that in quotation marks only because a pastor is always on call and David likely won't be IN the house very much at all, but he'll be much more accessible. We've agreed that his office will be out of the house, either in the church itself (less likely) or else in another building that the church owns (more likely).
His days will be taken up with preparing for Sunday's sermon (research, writing, practice), actually preaching, meetings (marriage prep, baptism prep, etc.) board meetings, probably preparing the bulletin, possibly dealing with music stuff, visitation, bible study, travel for a variety of things, retirement home services.
What Will Amy Do?
Likely not anything much different than I do now. Hopefully we can find community there and fit in.
Pictures?
Not yet! I wish I could share some photos but unfortunately the only ones I've found online identify the town, which isn't something I'm comfortable sharing in this space. Once we arrive I'll be sure to take some photos on our walks that I can post. Picture a very tiny northern Canadian town and you probably know what it looks like! Having trouble? Well, a highway, with lots of little houses, and trees, and rocks.
What Will Change?
We'll be using our car, for one thing. Where we live now we really don't need it, but in such a remote area we will. David and I have also discussed getting a cell phone. I don't want one, but it probably makes sense to have one.
I hope you've been patient with my lack of posts recently, and will continue to be patient with what is likely going to be a LOT of one sided conversation about the move. :-)
Have you tried to Google maps the location? It might actually come up! Oh, and I've heard if you want to get a cell phone you need to do it soon. Policies are changing and it's better to get one now...IF you'll actually get reception. Some of the hills in the area you're moving to actually block alot of cell usage. Might want to ask the new church about that.
ReplyDeleteOh yes - I know exactly where the church is, I just don't want to mention the name here.
DeleteUgh - cell phones. Maybe we'll get a pay-as-you-go thing. Or we'll just let the church handle it.