Greetings from the CCC Moderator: Christ Congregational Church, Silver Spring Maryland

A Message From the Moderator

Gordon Forbes

What Is A Moderator?

In the United Church of Christ, and especially in the Congregational tradition, a Moderator is the senior lay member of the congregation. At CCC, he or she is elected by the congregation at its annual meeting to serve a one-year term. The Moderator serves as the liaison between the Staff and the seven Boards and numerous Committees that are responsible for the life of the church. In addition to the Moderator, a Moderator-elect serves as an assistant to the Moderator — in preparation for assuming the Moderator's role the following year.

Gordon Forbes was elected CCC Moderator at the June 2007, annual meeting, and serves in this post until the next annual meeting.

I have been a member of Christ Church since 2000. It has been an honor to serve in several capacities during that time- as a youth advisor, as a Deacon, as chair of the Spirituality Committee and, of course, moderator-elect. This church is blest with people who willingly give their time, talent and treasure in the effort to make Christ Church a growing and vital community; who truly believes that God is still speaking, in church, in Silver Spring, in this country, and throughout the world.

You may wonder why a retired minister would be foolish enough to take on the position of Moderator of Christ Church. The answer is easy and is two fold. I love what I see at CCC- the love of people for the church, the willingness to serve the church’s mission, the courage to take on big things trusting that all will be well, and the exceptional pool of wise, committed, and caring leaders. I also believe that the call to being a Christian servant trumps the call to be a minister. Being clergy is only one way to serve.

This last year, anticipating a time of transition when our minister Jim Todhunter retires, we embraced a Strategic Vision to guide us over the next three to five years. It sets out challenging goals that will make Christ Church the continuing vibrant spiritual community it has always been. Between implementing these goals and remaining committed to all that has shaped us in the past I look forward to the year ahead. Thank you for the opportunity.

Gordon Forbes
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