On Sunday, January 22, Cross of Glory began a new chapter in its regrowth…the installation of Dana O’Brien as our official “for life” pastor. Not only is a overwhelming congratulations in order for Pastor Dana, but also a sense of welcoming that surpasses anything we’ve experienced in quite a long while. Pastor Dana will help anchor and grow CoG for many years into the future.
“Now you’re stuck with me,” Pastor exclaimed after the ceremony. The answer was applause that lasted seemingly 10 minutes long. “Yup, I gave you all lots of chances to get out of this before Sunday. So you know it — now I’m here for ‘forever’ or until you all no longer want me, whichever comes first,” she said to the congregation who was wearing a sea of red clothes for the occasion.
Installed by Bishop Jeffery Clements and Reverend Gary Erickson, the installation was an interesting ceremony that the church had anticipated for months. Pastor Dana joined CoG back in the fall and quickly endeared herself to the congregation with her infectious energy and sense of humor. Recently, CoG bonded with our new pastor over the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. Time well spent!
“And now that I’m here for good (yes, that would be “forever”), it’s time to get down to business – to start discerning what God is calling us to do in this community. We’ll start out by focusing on who we are as church in this place and then get to know our neighbors, all the time looking for God working around us and jumping in to help. This is such an exciting time to be church and I can’t imagine anywhere else I’d rather be!” she said.
Yes, that’s our Pastor’s noggin under all the outreached hands and arms of an official CoG blessing!
How did our new pastor prepare for the big day? “I’ll admit, I’m not much of a fan of formal ceremonies like installations and ordinations (particularly when I am the focus of the ceremony), so originally I was approaching Sunday as just another day. But then on Sunday morning, I realized that I was moved much more than I had expected to be,” Pastor Dana explained.
