Disciples, Apostles, and Saints!
It is with great gratitude that I give praise to those who make this, our 185th year as a congregation a time of great joy and anticipation! At our annual congregational meeting of the church, we elected new vestry members in Jennifer Berry, Don Bryan, and John Hegedus. We elected delegates to convention, including Zach Anderson and Lisa O’Donnell. Our Senior Warden this year is Robin Willis. Junior Warden is Bill Allen. Clerk is Linda Airhart. Treasurer is Peggy Allen.
Our attention this year naturally falls under the title of evangelism — seeking to connect with the community for the love and grace of the gospel. We’ll explore ways to engage in this activity with generous hearts and far less fear. And one of the essential aspects of this grace-led evangelism is simply JOY. Seeking and celebrating in the joyous spirit of God. Doing things we love to do, encountering them with others, and seeing what God is up to in that is essential to living a life of joy.
We don’t usually associate the story of Cain and Abel with joy, but it begins with a story of God’s joy and delight in the generous creativity of Abel. And Cain becomes jealous of God’s delight in his brother. Jealous that God loves to be surprised with joyous creativity. Of generous love and inspired hearts.
This is our work this year — exploring joy, surprise, and creativity. To seek new life through new creation. To be inspired so as to inspire. To be a people of new, evocative hope and grace. To lead this community to a new life in faith.
With love,
Drew