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Getting to know Pastor Brandon
A note from our Lay Leader, Sharon Kotsonas

This past weekend our church leadership team, staff and volunteers participated in a pastoral onboarding process in support of our incoming Senior Pastor, Rev. Brandon Gilmore. The onboarding process is designed to better acquaint a congregation with the incoming pastor and vice versa. 

It also facilitates discussion to streamline missional goals. 

Our Saturday morning started with a potluck breakfast followed by a series of topics and questions discussed within 5 groups. The facilitator did a great job managing the flow, focus and objectives. Pastor Brandon was gracious and candid in sharing his experience and his priorities. We appreciate his willingness to answer some tough questions.

We take a moment to thank Rev. Lauren Coffman, Pastor at Trinity Heights UMC in Flagstaff for facilitating the onboarding program and to all participants from First UMC Gilbert for their input and service to our church.

 

Fun facts about Pastor Brandon:

  • Enjoys hot yoga
  • Trains for triathlons
  • Takes dance lessons
  • Likes all types of music especially country and rock
  • Likes cooking and trying new recipes / has no food allergies / loves all foods, but not a fan of cooked bell peppers / enjoys salmon with veggies
  • Looking to adopt a kitten (for his daughter)
  • Considers himself to be a tech savvy "enough to be dangerous"

On a more serious note, our Pastor:

  • Supports Children and Youth needs
  • Likes that we have a church prayer wall (church app)
  • Loves diversity / acts of kindness / social justice and inclusivity
  • Believes in doing "meaningful work" / "inaction causes people to leave"
  • Lookiing forward to the upcoming Fall Kickoff/Ministry Fair and Open House - a great way to showcase our programs to the community
  • Good idea to host more sports programs at First UMC Gilbert / "great outreach"
  • Thinks social media is a good way to draw people in, also personal invitations to our friends and neighbors
  • Stives to maintain a work-life balance / his top priority is his 2 teen-age children

Join us in welcoming Pastor Brandon at our church potluck on Saturday August 29.

 

Blessings,
Sharon Kotsonas