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Greg Smith

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Wrapping Up The Year of Clarity (#2098)

2023/12/26 By Greg

My first post of 2023, Star Word for 2023, introduced the word I received on Epiphany to guide me through the year ahead: clarity.

In that post I suggested that while 2022 had been marked by transition, 2023 would be a season of increasing clarity personally and professionally.

West Fork Presbyterian Church – March 2023

Personally

Reflecting on 2023, I see numerous ways in which the year has been marked by clarity in my personal life. Three important experiences that have informed my increased clarity are

  • Completing my first full year as resident of Arlington (TX) since 2006 and hosting more parties and events in our home than ever before
  • Celebrating my 25th wedding anniversary and enjoying an extended vacation to celebrate the occasion with my wife
  • Spending significant time with family and friends

Professionally

I also affirm that this was a year of clarity for me vocationally. The top three expressions of this are

  • Being ordained to ministry in the United Church of Christ
  • Entering year 3 at White Rock Center of Hope with a change in title from Executive Director to Chief Executive Officer
  • Engaging in more preaching, teaching, and writing than any year since leaving full-time parish ministry in 2015

So What?

It seems fitting that in the year I celebrated 25 years of ministry and 25 years of marriage, I’d attain new clarity about who I am and who I’m called to be and become in the years ahead.

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Greg Smith

Greg is a follower of the Way of Jesus who strives to make the world a better place for all people. Currently, he serves as Chief Executive Officer of White Rock Center of Hope and as Interim Senior Pastor of Advent Lutheran Church. He has served ten congregations, taught religion to undergraduates for eight years, and helped three organizations provide quality healthcare to underserved populations. (Read More)

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