From the Desk of the Pastor

Over the last month, we have made some definitive moves toward change. For example, at Easter, we had one service instead of two. Our Relaunch Team and Trustees helped us navigate a complex set of stressors. The result of that work was a new plan to welcome our community into worship and fellowship.

Yesterday we enjoyed a fellowship meal and celebrated with a group of four high school seniors and one college graduate. Ms. Barbie used a children’s book to remember their growing up, celebrate their transition into a new phase of life, and provide simple, practical advice for the future. This not only helped our littles to chart a course for their future, but it also served to remind the graduates of the importance of remembering how they arrived at this point.

I really want to commend those who set up, decorate, provide food, serve, and clean up for the Senior Luncheon. Your expressions of hospitality served to welcome extended families, serve a delicious potluck meal, and celebrate along with these families this milestone in the lives of the graduates—what a joy to be able to break bread with our community and our faith family. Thank you all for your efforts.

As we continue to move forward into the summer, there are additional opportunities for fellowship in the works. WOW, and Youth will be wrapping up for the summer this week. My hope is to offer some short-term bible studies for adults over the summer. If you are interested in this opportunity or have an idea for something else, please feel free to contact me.

During the protracted building closure, things usually regularly attended were placed on the back burner or overlooked. Additionally, paint repairs for the hurricane damage are coming down the pike. So it’s time for us to begin to look around and see what needs to be cleaned up, cleaned out, spruced up, or thrown out. 

As we continue to emerge from the constraints of our shared experience over the past 15 months, we find ourselves positioned to reach out to our neighbors in unexpected ways. The isolation we’ve endured as individuals and as a community has left us all in need of human interaction. There’s never been a better time to invite your friends and neighbors to attend church with you.

Who do you know that has a connection to our church and is not currently actively attending somewhere?  Who have we not seen in a while?  How can you be a part of reaching out and offering welcome and hospitality? Now is the time, so don’t delay.

So much has changed in our world, but people still need the Lord. People still need to be in fellowship. We all need our faith now more than ever.

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. I Corinthians 16:13

                                                                                                                       Pastor Kenny