Celebrating Cara and Looking Ahead
By Ellis White, Senior Pastor
There are seasons in the life of a church that invite us to pause and give thanks. Today is one of those moments.
For the past 10 years, Cara Taylor has faithfully served Chapel Hill in countless ways. During that time, many of you have watched her not only lead in ministry but also continue to grow as a ministry leader and pastoral candidate. As a church, we have had the privilege of investing in her theological education, expanding ministry opportunities, and encouraging her as she has discerned God’s direction for her future.
Cara has helped shape Chapel Hill’s heart for outreach. Through Beyond These Walls, she has guided our partnerships with local and global ministries, stewarded our Beyond These Walls and Missions funding and programs, and led many from our congregation to experience God’s work firsthand through Go Teams. Her leadership has strengthened relationships across our community and around the world.
Her ministry has reached far beyond outreach. She has led worship, served as a Deacon, children’s ministry staff and volunteer, led LifeGroups, and represented both Chapel Hill and our Presbytery in broader ministry settings. Wherever there has been an opportunity to serve, Cara has brought thoughtful leadership, deep faith, and a genuine love for people.
Cara is concluding her time on our staff team and has accepted a pastoral residency for formation of children, youth, and their families at First Presbyterian Church in San Antonio, Texas, while she completes the ECO ordination process. We want to celebrate her faithful ministry and thank God for the ways He has used her to shape the life of our church.
As we celebrate Cara’s ministry, we are also excited to share that Chandra Hallam has accepted the role of Outreach Director. Over the past year, Chandra and Cara have worked closely together, allowing for a thoughtful and well-prepared transition. We are grateful for Chandra’s heart for the world and look forward to the ways God will continue to lead our outreach ministry through her leadership.
Before I say anything more, I’d like you to hear directly from Cara.
Our God is such a mastermind and so kind and worthy of holding our lives in his hands! Coming to Chapel Hill has been a dream come true in so many ways for our family, where you all have helped raise our kids in faith and served alongside each of us to share the love of Jesus. But the one dream I have cherished most since my youth is Jesus’ prayer in John 17 that we would be one in his name—experiencing a life together fueled completely by joy, courage, and holiness that can only come from becoming part of the loving unity among Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And Jesus knew that the world would understand that he was sent to save us because of our unity and our message, no matter what changes and challenges life brings.
Chapel Hill, you are that faith family, so this is bittersweet. Our fellow believers in Gig Harbor and across the globe are that faith family. I can grieve with you and hope with you because of Christ. I am eternally grateful that Chapel Hill has invested in me as a ministry leader and pastoral candidate. With my dear friend and colleague Chandra Hallam (your NEW Outreach Director), I am filled with hope and excitement for how God is moving through our work over the past year for an even stronger Outreach ministry and easy transition. And I am still stunned at God’s perfect timing in calling me onward to share the good news and build up our faith family in the congregation where I was discipled as a young adult, married my best friend, entrusted our children to the covenant promises of God, and heard his voice calling me to ministry.
I am not heading out just yet. Much of our family life is still rooted here as the residency begins this fall, Judson continues as Communications Director, and Mercy finishes high school. We welcome your prayers for this season in our lives. Join me and our son, Jeremiah, for Mega Sports Camp before he heads off to Biola for college…we’ll be serving together again, being silly and serious so kids get to know Jesus. And please come get hugs over the next few Sundays. I am so grateful you are in my life.
Church family, I hope you’ll take the opportunity over these next few Sundays to thank Cara personally, encourage her, and pray for her as she prepares for this next chapter. She will be in the lobby this week for you to connect. She has invested deeply in this church, and I know she would be encouraged by hearing how God has used her life and ministry to impact yours.
Cara, thank you for serving Chapel Hill so faithfully. It has been a joy to minister alongside you, and we send you with our love, our gratitude, and our prayers.
Pastor Ellis