 Pastor’s
Page
On
Sunday, May 25 (which will be over by the time you read this), we will have
done two important things in our congregation: thanked our church leaders
from last year, and formally installed all of our incoming church leaders
for this next year.
Thanking is important. We
have dozens of people in this church who work very hard, fixing things,
making things happen, promoting programs, feeding us, facilitating
educational opportunities, ensuring that we have ushers and liturgists for
worship services, and a whole lot more. I encourage every one of you – seek
out a couple of those people who have served our church this past year, and
thank them for everything they have done, and continue to do. (Most people
who have agreed to serve on or lead a Board or other group are continually
actively involved in our congregation, and don’t stop helping around here
just because their official terms of service are over.)
Recognizing is also
important. When each of you joined this church, you made some important
promises to each other. One was to continue to grow in faith. Another was to
witness to the work and word of Jesus Christ as well as you are able (i.e.,
the way you live your life should reflect what Jesus was all about). Another
was to support this family of Christ by your presence at worship, your
participation in other church activities, and the sharing of your treasures.
When we “recognize” folks among us as our leaders, it means we do everything
in our power to fulfill our own vows about membership, as well as honoring
their leadership of our congregation into the future that God is calling us
to.
This year, as we begin a
new year of church activity, I encourage you to commit to some of the
following: attend worship regularly – your presence here on Sunday morning
matters; participate in at least three outside-of-worship activities a year
(e.g., special dinners, fellowship activities or groups, Fifth Sunday
special events, Spiritual Film Night); say “thank you” to all those who lead
and serve our congregation; try some new church-related activity you’ve
never done before; start a practice of regular prayer – or of regular
Bible-study; take an adult education class; show up for a work-day in the
fall or spring, and help beautify our grounds; walk the labyrinth; volunteer
to help one Sunday with our children’s Sunday School classes; start visiting
one of our shut-ins regularly; get creative and think up a new possibility
for serving God through the work of our church.
As we reflected together
in April, on “being church” is a rich tapestry of engagements and
relationships. Most fundamental is our relationship with God – everything
else flows out of that (remember that early-May sermon on “dependence”?).
Next most fundamental are our relationships with each other – which is in
part how we relate to our God. Be more patient. Be more forgiving. Be less
critical. Be more creative. Instead of being part of the problem, become
part of the solution. Instead of gossiping and tearing down someone else or
some other group, offer your congratulations and appreciation when things go
well. Be peace-makers. Create righteousness, in everything that you say and
do.
If all of us do those
things together, we can continue to transform this church into the kind of
place that shows our community what God’s grace and love truly look like.
Blessings, Pastor Sharyl
IMPORTANT REMINDER
Yes, get this on your calendars now! For all Board members, Board Chairs,
and church officers – remember that our July Common Board meeting (July 20)
will be devoted to our Leadership Retreat and Training. Please make this a
priority – it will help us all get the new year started on the right track!
We’ll provide lunch – you come, eat, work together, and learn more about the
other folks on your Boards, and how our wider church functions.
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