Thank you… to Immanuel members from Deaconess Juanita

     

 


Thank you for the generous farewell gift and for the kind words shared with me at my farewell dinner and reception held at the end of March.
      It has been almost 13 years since I first came to Immanuel. That means I leave with many memories. I have had the opportunity to work with gifted and talented co-workers and to develop relation-ships with many individuals and families. You will not soon be forgotten.
      Together we have shared happy times and sad times; we've seen children grow into young adults, we've grieved the passing of loved ones. We've worked together, played together, studied together and most im-portantly, worshiped together. I thank God for the op-portunity I have had to join you in ministry in this place.
      As we go our separate ways, know that I will continue to hold Immanuel in my prayers - that it may be empowered by the renewing of the Holy Spirit to boldly reach out with the love and compassion of Christ to those outside its walls. And I hope that you will also hold me in your prayers, as I seek to know God's will for my future ministry.

   Go forth now,
in the Faith which overcomes the world,
in the Hope which will not disappoint you,
in the Love which never fails.

You are ambassadors of Christ
and He is with you always.

Grace, mercy and peace,
From Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Bless, preserve and protect you all this day
And for ever.

Thank you to Deaconess Juanita from the Board for Social Ministry

In her years at Immanuel, Deaconess Juanita has demonstrated how she truly accepts our Lord's invitation to minister to those in need. She coordinated the Road Home since its beginning as the Interfaith Hospitality Network by working with volunteers to insure that each shift and job was covered for the week's stay at Immanuel. She was the daily contact with the guests and helped them as needs arose. Deaconess served on the boards of the Road Home, Oakwood, and Wilmar Neighborhood Center. She coordinated many youth and adult servant events, such as washing feet at the Willy Street Fair, building with Habitat for Humanity, participating in Hurricane Katrina recovery, and participating in the Crop Walk.

Deaconess Juanita helped many needy individuals and families by administering Immanuel's social ministry grants. Deaconess will surely be missed, not only by the board for social ministry and the members of Immanuel, but also by those who serve the needy and by the many in need in our community. We thank Deaconess Juanita for her tireless service and for inspiring us to serve others
Blessings and Farewell to Deaconess Juanita

A note from Deaconess Juanita ….
Many of you have asked how I'm doing and if I have any news regarding where I may be serving next. Thank you for your concern and the various expressions of support you have offered. My hope is to find another position in a parish or church related social service setting, either here in the Madison area, or back in the Chicago area. Whether or not I will find another position in these two areas may not be known for some time. Since many parishes are similarly experiencing financial constraints, many are not hiring additional staff at this time.

But I trust that eventually God will lead me to a place where I will be able to continue in ministry. In the mean time, I need to be patient and ask for your prayer support. Pray that God would open a door, that I would be patient in waiting for the right position, that I would be given wisdom in my discernment and that my heart would be open to where God is calling me. I truly covet your prayers at this time of uncertainty. Many thanks!