I thought I would write a little more about our District Superintendent Hal Cowart's announcement that our Associate Pastor, Jonathan Arnpriester, will be appointed by the Bishop and Cabinet to start a new Church on July 1 of this year. Also, those who attend the SML services will be invited to join this exciting effort: in effect to go with Jonathan. Thus, this will not be a new Church start, but a new Church LAUNCH.

I'd like to review a few points that Hal, Jonathan, myself, and the Staff/Parish Relations committee agreed would be important to lift up this venture to be a success.

1. Our conference priorities are to start new Churches. This effort is a part of these priorities.
2. As Jonathan assumes his new role on July 1, we will also receive a new Pastor on July 1. The Staff-Parish Relations Committee has requested the Bishop to appoint someone at Jonathan's current salary level and level of experience.
3. After Jonathan and SML leave. Catalina will continue to have two services in the Fellowship Hall in a contemporary "Praise" style. As the Senior Pastor, my personal expectation of the new Pastor is that he/she will have an attendance equal to our current attendance in the Fellowship Hall (300) by November of this year.
4. That John Neve will continue to lead our Choirs (adult, children, and youth) and that Linda Kandik will continue to offer VBS this year. Richard Jones and Jody Avila will continue giving leadership to our active youth programs.
5. As Hal indicated this idea is almost four years old. It was not the right time earlier but now that SML has maxed out its space the time is right now.
6. To recognize that Catalina has started new Churches in the past and that Catalina's Administrative Board will be asked how we can be supportive of this new Church start.
7. Finally, those who wish to remain will be given opportunities to design our new Contemporary Services in the Hall.

What a wonderful opportunity this will be: to launch a new Church and to continue to grow at Catalina!