New district staff member prepares to help churches

(Editor’s Note: Rachel Wright joined
the Austin District staff Nov. 1 as the
director of congregational excellence.)

By Rachel Wright
Director of Congregational Excellence
When I was a teenager, I never thought I would be the “black sheep” in my family.
I attended services at Oak Hill UMC (every week), worked on the newspaper staff and graduated with a Methodist Gift of Hope scholarship, which helped me to study English at Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania.
After I graduated from college, I went directly into a master’s program at the University of London. While in England, I met the man who became my husband in August of last year.
 There is not much real rebellion in my personal history, but I am the only member of my nuclear family not to pursue a call to ordained ministry.
 Though we are not all called to ordination, we are all called to ministry.
 I am thrilled to have this opportunity for lay ministry in the Austin District. I look forward to sharing my faith story just as I eagerly anticipate learning the stories of others.
I know we will work through this difficult, exciting period of transformation in the district. 
 When I was a teenager, I never thought that I would be employed full time in the work of the church.
Today—in this moment—I cannot fully imagine where God will lead me in this new position, nor can I know where God will lead the Austin District. My job is to answer God’s call to ministry.
As I start this job, I pray that I will be a resource for individuals and congregations, a resource for clergy and laity, as we share in the work of the church in our community.
 Please pray for me, too.