ABOUT US

I apologize (maybe) for the guilt I am about to lay on you. You know, they say if you’re ever feeling down, just remember someone, somewhere, would be thrilled to have what you have—like your leftover pizza, your three-day-old laundry pile, or that email you keep “forgetting” to respond to. It’s all about perspective, right? Gratitude has a funny way of turning the mundane into something worth celebrating.

And speaking of perspective, every month when I sit down to write this article, I find myself itching to start by saying, “Wow, we’re busy!” You’ve probably noticed it too. But it’s not the ‘busy’ that stresses us out; it’s the kind of busy that reminds us of how alive and vibrant our church family is. A busy church is a sign of life, of community, of love in action. And yes, I know there are times when we wonder, “Are we really making a difference?” especially when our plates are overflowing, and the tiredness starts creeping in. But let me assure you, we are making a difference.

A busy church means we are engaged. It means we care about each other, our community, and our world. Our busyness shows that we’re committed to putting our faith into action, whether through worship, outreach, or fellowship. It’s in those committee meetings that help us plan for the future, joint worship services with St. James that remind us we are part of a larger body of believers, the Conference meeting attended by our faithful delegates, Joanne and Susan, and even the sweet joy of a fudge fundraiser that brings us together (and keeps our sweet tooth satisfied!).

As you flip through this month’s newsletter, you’ll see just how much we’re up to. There’s so much happening committees are meeting, worship is planned, and we’re finding new ways to connect and serve. In the middle of all this, it’s easy to forget that being busy also offers us a unique opportunity—to practice gratitude.

It’s not just about saying “thank you” for the food on our tables or the roof over our heads. It’s about recognizing that we have the ability and the privilege to be this busy as a church. Our busyness is a reflection of the gratitude our community feels for us—whether they say it out loud or not. And it’s also an opportunity for us to express gratitude for each other and for the countless ways we see God at work in our midst.

This brings me to our upcoming sermon series for November. We’re going to explore themes of gratitude, thankfulness, and praise found throughout Scripture. I hope these sermons will help remind us of all that, even in the midst of our busiest seasons, gratitude is not just a “thank you” to check off a list, but a deeply rooted spiritual practice found throughout the Bible.

So, this November, let’s be thankful for our busy-ness, for each other, and for all the ways God continues to move through our church. Because sometimes, it’s not just about saying “thank you,” but living it.

With gratitude and love,

Pastor Caroline

OUR FAITH

Drawn together by the Holy Spirit, we are a distinct and diverse community of Christians that come together as one church, joining faith and action. In covenant with the church in all its settings, we serve God in the co-creation of a just and sustainable world as made manifest in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.