Happy New Year, Church!

Beginnings are wonderful things if you let them be. Let it be said that in order to have a beginning one has to have experienced as ‘end’ of some sort. Acknowledge endings, mourn them, celebrate them as you need to and before you move from those endings ask God to bless them.

Then, it’s timefor a beginning!

Rejoice, church! A new year of ministry is beginning! New opportunities to grow in our faith are emerging! Relationships, old and new, can be new too, just by the way YOU bring yourself to them!

Embrace beginnings as God’s best Epiphany gift given to you!

As God blesses our continuing ministry together, friends, I fully expect wonderful surprises in and through what happens in this place. The Spirit in this community is alive, hope has arrived, and people are talking more and more about how faith is shaping their lives.

I am grateful for the heart of this congregation that views openness as its’ faithful response to the grace and love of God that ALL receive, unconditionally, through the biblical witness to Jesus’ teaching and example. I am hopeful for the ways in which God will guide us through the completion of our reconciling process this Spring and for the expansion of our welcome to ALL into the community in the months ahead and through the community events to come. As our Nursery and Sunday School continues to grow, I am hopeful for creative leadership and shared opportunities for intergenerational learning and mission. I am hopeful for the continuation of our faith-filled music making and worship sharing that blesses and inspires so many each week. And, I am hopeful for the courage and humility to lead you well into each  beginning as we ALL follow God, just as we are.

I am blessed to serve along with Andy and ALL of you into the new year.

Thanks be to God!

Peace to each of you as we begin…

Pastor Kelly