Dear Friends,
The end of August and the beginning of September is a season of transition! We are in the midst of our annual shift from the dog days of summer to the excitement of fall -- with a new school year, new teachers, new students, new schedules, and the anticipation of a wondrous year.
I trust you all had a restful summer, with some time away from your usual routine, with a change of scenery and maybe even a change in thinking.
It's exciting and even a bit scary to enter the future. Tomorrow is still unknown. September is still unknown. 2008 is still unknown. The rest of our lives is still unknown. God's plan for us is still a mystery. The Unknown is frightening. We haven't experienced it before. We don't know if we can handle it. It is much easier to lay back and embrace the known, the familiar, the less risky.
Imagine our kids ... who each has to face a new teacher, a classroom half-filled with students he or she hardly knows, a whole year ahead when they are expected to learn a truckload of knowledge and experience they haven't even yet imagined. We adults, too, face a new year, with truckloads of yet unimagined possibilities, new opportunities and new experiences. What if we see new folks in our sanctuary on Sunday morning! What if some unhappy life is transformed into the joy of Christ! What if we forge a plan for ministry that causes people to pour into our building, into our midst, into our lives!
I am excited about the possibilities that lie before us -- the risky ones, the scary ones, the ones that will take us out of our comfort zones and into uncharted waters, the ones where we get out of the way so God can lead.
We officially begin the season with an all-church picnic. I hope you will make plans to join us this Sunday, September 9, for a time of fun, food, getting-acquainted, games and good fellowship. This time we are asking you NOT to bring a dish -- the cookout (with lots of good choices) will be completely provided. We are asking you to dress casually for everything this morning, including worship. I have even been told to wear shorts and no tie. (Is it possible I could do that?!)
The picnic and fun is just the beginning of an exciting year ahead.
As we make this seasonal transition, we are making staff transitions as well. John Smiley, Art Painter, and Lannie Mease have all made decisions that will take them out of their staff service positions. Each has plans for his or her own future, which will include their continued service to God. We wish them each the very best, whether in retirement or in pursuing other career plans. Each has served the church with commitment, great talent and energy. May God bless you, John, Art and Lannie, in every way!
Our annual charge/church conference this year is scheduled for Thursday, September 27, 7 PM. Here again we have an opportunity to make transitions. Ministry teams, official committees, and our church council are preparing their reports and making plans for the new year. A visioning process for the future of our congregation is underway. Everything we are doing points to the future. How can we serve God in 2008? How will we serve God in 2018? 2028?
Life is constant change. God remains steadfast. Our God of love includes all his children and welcomes all who come here for spiritual nurture, deeper faith, inspiring worship, mission opportunities, and life transformation. They will find in us "Open Hearts, Open Minds, and Open Doors."
I challenge each and every member and friend of Howland United Methodist Church to unite with renewed energy and passion to "make and mature disciples of Jesus Christ."
We are a congregation rich in compassion for the downtrodden, generous in our resources, faith in our great God, hope for the future, and love for all God's children.
May God bless us all in this season of transition!
Peace,
Pastor Ron |
Howland United Methodist Church