Earlier this fall, the Chapel of the Cross hosted “Finding Your Purpose” a one-day conference primarily for young people about discerning their call. I attended with our Corps Members. The keynote speaker was Karen Meridith, Executive Director of Education for Ministry at the University of the South’s School of Theology. Something she said late in her remarks felt so directed at me that I caught my breath, startled.
“Sometimes God interrupts even what seems like the perfect thing to call you to something else. Pay attention.”
For more than two years, I have been in what felt like my perfect thing as Executive Director of Johnson Service Corps, so I was more than a little surprised to find myself called to something else. I will be leaving my work at JSC to become associate editor at Faith & Leadership, the online magazine for Leadership Education at Duke Divinity School. I am leaving work and people I love for work and people I expect to love. How lucky am I?
The JSC board has made the wise decision to elevate Andrew Hudgins to full-time program director and Christina Balderson to operations director. They will continue in their marvelous work and take on some of the roles that had been part of my responsibilities as executive director. It is a promising model for shared, collaborative leadership. It is an exciting time for JSC!
Thank you for the support you pour into our young people and for the countless kindnesses you have shown me. Every single one of them has been appreciated. I look forward to continuing to be a part of this important organization as both a volunteer and a donor. I hope you will join me.
My best,
Aleta
