\u201cHope IS here! Love IS here! and Family IS here!\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n
I cast this phrase as a vision a year ago. We were ending a year of anniversary celebrations that took us back through so much good work and shared ministry and our advent liturgy prompted this phrase week after week and just seemed to reflect who we are as a community moving forward. So, I put it out there with hope that what I felt I saw our community to be would be lived out in the days ahead. Yep! This year, in review, has been blessed with many hopeful, loving and family affirming experiences!<\/p>\n
Through the many weddings, funerals, the monthly meetings and special events we have been hopeful, loving and family to one another and to our community. Through our expanded meal ministry, our overwhelming vote to become a reconciling congregation, our summer \u2018duck\u2019 outreach events at the parades and Chill on the Hill and through mission to Texas, the Dakota Reservation, the WVa Children and to the orphanage in India we have been hopeful, loving and family to those in need and those wanting to connect to God and to a church community.<\/p>\n
Communication has become a keystone to our ability to open doors to information, opportunities and updates well beyond the Sunday morning announcements. And, for me, ending the year with an absolutely blessed intergenerational children\u2019s Christmas service confirmed for me that we ARE hope, love and family in this place! Thanks be to God!<\/p>\n
I can only vision more of the same for 2015, friends! I truly feel we are beginning to embrace and reflect the reason we stand here on the corner of Clement and Kinnickinnic (yep, you know how I say those street names!) Our leadership<\/i> is stepping up to offer new ideas and is stepping out with a boldness that offers a hopeful vision for our future. Our ministries<\/i> have gelled as expressions of unconditional and tireless help for friends and strangers alike and that is love in action. And, our community<\/i> sees us as a safe and welcoming place for ALL people and I can\u2019t think of a better way to vision God\u2019s family.<\/p>\n
Our call to offer hope, love and a sense of belonging is worthy work and is praising and honoring of the God who offers each of us the same through Jesus, the Living Christ among us. Amen.<\/p>\n
Peace to each of you in the new year,<\/p>\n
Pastor Kelly<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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