It’s been a great run.
And the future is in great hands with Kyle.
Thank you for the privilege of having my hand at the helm of SLF for these past 28 years. All my jobs – from Statesman-Journal paperboy to paint-company owner (college years) to Seattle Goodwill (nonprofit) to Arst Public Relations (business) to small-business owner (consulting) – prepared me for SLF’s unique brand of city and neighborhood ministry across all the sectors.
I calculate that this is somewhere around Fancy Newsletter #275, give or take. They were episodic in the early years and went monthly around 2002-ish. I’m pulling them all together as a set, and having a ton of fun re-reading the stories of triumph, hardship, faith, challenge, and hope. I’m also cleaning out piles of files, and mailing snippets to friends and partners with whom I’ve been honored to sojourn.
At the same time, I’m compiling an index of SLF Axioms; some borrowed and some original. They represent experiential learning and wisdom that have guided me and our team over the years. Shoot me an email – SamSkillern3@gmail.com – in the new year and I’ll send a copy.
Jennifer and I are retiring together at the end of the year, although she will contract back as an events coordinator for RainFest and Fancy Friday. I will be taking several months off before evaluating what consulting contracts I might take on. I won’t be working full-time but I won’t be twiddling my thumbs, either! We have a small business that buys/sells antiques (come visit my booth at Engelberg’s Antiks downtown!). I also have 6 to 8 historic-restoration projects around our 108-year-old Craftsman home that I can’t wait to finish. They’re all carpentry and painting projects that are only 75%-85% completed, and they drive me nuts! Every time I manage to finish one there’s a great sense of accomplishment and peace … ah.
I am so grateful for the kind words, notes, and kudos I’ve received over the past year. Many people have been asking, “what can we do for you as a sendoff?” My greatest wish is for SLF supporters to continue walking with SLF long after “the vest” is retired. Nothing would warm my heart more than knowing Kyle and the team are financially strong into 2025 and beyond.
Thank you for asking, and thank you for 28 incredibly blessed years. Merry Christmas!
My mentor, Bob Patterson (Habitat for Humanity) never said “adios”
or “farewell” or “goodbye.” It was always: “We’ll be talking …”
S
HELP SLF ENTER THE NEW CHAPTER STRONG IN 2025.
‘YEM’ stands for ‘Year-end Match’ and we are very fortunate to have a group of SLF friends whose gifts provide the basis dollars for the campaign. This year that amount is $85,000, and we’re inviting you – as you are able – to help us make the match by December 31. As we head toward 2025 and the great new chapters of the ‘SLF Story’ under Kyle’s leadership, we’ll be engaging (as usual) a number of key collaborations through our Lightning Rods (field staff), CPTs (Community Partnership Teams) and the Churches as Neighborhood (CaN) Centers network. Every dollar to SLF gets leveraged in value into $12 to $15 … good R.O.I. and stewardship!
We know there have been challenges in 2024, so we make this request gently. And with great faith. Thanks for all you do to strengthen the Shalom (the peace and well-being) of Salem-Keizer and its neighborhoods. Advent blessings, Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas!