Preparing for Rev. María Cristina!

Jul 1, 2022 | Beacon, Members News, News, Top News

It was only two months ago when we voted unanimously to call Rev. Dr. María Cristina Vlassidis Burgoa to be our next settled minister. At the time we did not know any specifics as to when she was going to be moving and beginning her position at East Shore. We would now like to provide an update as we are sure that Rev. María Cristina and Mama Lily have been on your minds and in your hearts.

Rev. María Cristina’s First Worship Service

Let’s start with the date that may have the greatest significance to many of you, her first worship service. You will want to be sure to mark your calendars with our annual In-Gathering service which this year will take place on Sunday, September 11. This is always such a special event for East Shore as we celebrate the ways many of us return to various rhythms of our lives. And this year the service will mark our embarking on a new chapter with Rev. María Cristina as our minister. It should be epic!

Official Start Date as Minister

Another important date to be aware of is the day Rev. María Cristina will officially start her position as minister. That day will be August 15. We expect her first days and weeks will likely be occupied moving into her office, getting set up in our IT systems, and attending meetings with staff, Board, and certain groups. As that date approaches, we will coordinate with Rev. María Cristina to communicate with the congregation how to get in touch with her directly and when her office hours will be.

Rev. María Cristina and Mama Lily are Moving to the Area this Month

Finally, we are very happy to announce they have found a wonderful place to live in the area. We do understand they will be able to move into their new place sometime in July. Out of respect for their privacy we’ll leave out details of precisely when and where and let them share more as appropriate.

Help Rev. María Cristina Get to Know Us

If you haven’t already, please consider contributing to the Getting to Know Us project. Women’s Perspective Team is creating a binder filled with individual profiles written by each of East Shore’s members and friends– in our own words! Your contributions will be a huge help as Rev. María Cristina gets to know her new flock. To assist you we have an online form with a few questions and where you may include your personal narrative and photos as well. Copies of a physical form are available in the office. Stay tuned for details on opportunities for support and for updating your database profile!

We remain as thrilled as ever that we are so shortly going to be building our future with Rev. María Cristina. We will certainly continue to be in touch with her as needed and share more news over the summer.

by David Langrock, Ministerial Search Committee