Sunday Morning Live will be stepping away from Catalina to start a new church... "a new way of doing church."

Go ahead, read it again! Yes, it's true!

This decision comes for several reasons. In April 1998 the Desert Southwest Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church held a special conference and in response to the exponential population growth in Las Vegas, Phoenix, Yuma and Tucson, set as our primary item of focus the starting of new churches-210 new churches by the year 2010. Quite a bold undertaking, and it is called the Bold in Christ Campaign. So far more than 11 million dollars has been pledged in support! This year the conference is planning to start 12 new churches, Sunday Morning Live becoming one of them.

It is my understanding of the history of Catalina that there have been a number of occasions in which there was an opportunity to participate in birthing a new church, and this community of faith has stepped up time and again, St. Paul's, Christ, St. Mark's and San Pedro valley in Benson. I'm also confident the commitment to reaching out to the community through contemporary worship will not depart Catalina with SML.

Because of the conditions created at Catalina to spawn growth, Sunday Morning Live has reached our maximum capacity under the present circumstances and now it is time for us to step out on our own, to become something new in order to grow. I also believe for SML to continue to grow I need to become a different kind of pastor than I can be as an associate.

While I think this is an incredible opportunity and am very excited about leading in the start of a new church, I've also thought long about leaving dear friends behind. I think I have experienced all five stages of grief, denial, bargaining, anger, depression and acceptance. I am aware many families have been part of Catalina for generations and my heart goes out to those who will have to make a difficult choice.

In talking with the band and SML leadership team there have been many questions. Here are a few, and some answers.

Will we be United Methodist?

Yes. (I don't think I know how to do Presbyterian.)

How soon will we be moving?

Our first worship service at our new location will be July 1. There is the possibility of an earlier move date if we are ready and make such a request.

What about my membership at Catalina?

If you choose, it can be transferred to the new church as we move.

Where will SML go?

We're looking into a couple of nearby High School Auditoriums for the time being. Eventually, after we grow more, we will be looking into buying land and building.

Will the band be going?

Of course. Without the band we would need to change the name to Sunday Morning Dull.

Will SML still have its edge and use video, pictures and sound?

Yep, you bet!

Will there be Sunday School for our children? Will there be a Youth group?

From the very first Sunday!

Will there be children's choirs?

We are looking for volunteers willing to lead and help with children's choirs.

Will there be sign language interpretation for the deaf?

From the beginning at every worship service!

Will we still be called SML?

While the name SML may be associated with who we are, there will be a new name for the church.