From the Pastors Desk
Can you believe it is already November? In just a few short weeks we have all worked to return some of the church traditions we have missed so much. It feels good to be able to worship together and experience fellowship again. Please see the upcoming events in the end of the newsletter to be sure you know the opportunities for you and your family as they continue to develop here at our church. We do have good news to share also. Our new website will be up and running any day. It is completely new and we thank you so much for the financial support that has made it happen. This tool in our ministry will help us to keep organized and provide a central place to keep up to date with the great things going on in our church and community.
November is the month we have chosen to dedicate to an important topic, Stewardship. Stewardship is a word with many thoughts behind it and we need to acknowledge those thoughts and feelings that come to mind because they are all important. I would like to share my personal thoughts on Stewardship as a way of saying, expressing, and announcing support for the part of my life that has always been there. When I first began attending church as a tween I did so because my Mom said it was a good idea, and honestly I had nothing else on the calendar. We met on Sundays for Sunday School, then we started going to youth group, then mission trips, building projects in the community, canoe trips in the river, and even sleep overs in the church that felt like we had this special connection that no one else could possibly understand. In our minds we were the first and only ones who ever felt that way about our church, but looking back that was just not so. We were not given a key to the church to run and make mischief, there were adults there who guided us, adults who gave their time to us, and people, so many people who loved us and gave their treasure to keep the lights on, the building warm, and the bulletins printed. From all the people that poured into us as young people I learned about service and support. None of them were rich, not one millionaire in the congregation, yet they gave diligently and faithfully of their time, treasure, and talents. They were present and leading by example. Now many years later I am thankful they were the stewards, care takers, of our church home and the place where my faith found root to grow. They taught me that the church family is the one you choose. It is a place where we love, laugh, disagree, enjoy a good meal, pray for the good in life, and pray through the rough moments in life. The church is a place of presence where we come face to face with all that God calls us to be. The most interesting part of all they taught me is that while I was learning and growing in my faith, they were also. I am thankful, daily, they chose to invest their treasure in the place we called our spiritual home and beacon to the community.
When I think of Stewardship I think of the care and love that goes into maintaining a healthy relationship with our church family. I am asking you to look at the relationship you have with our church family now, and ask yourself, If you could design it piece by piece what would it look like? When you have it tell me, and together we can build it. I am certain of this because when we gather and ask God to empower us and send us the right people to make our vision a reality, God will do so and our church family will be blessed. I know there are many demands for your time and you may be wondering how you can take on something new. When you offer of yourself for small things and grow your talents, God will continue to bless you and make the time in your life for the moments of service that are unique to you. Now that it is our turn to provide for our spiritual home I am so thankful to have all of you who know the importance of providing for our church family. The journey of faith is not always easy but it is filled with amazing experiences, good stories, and people who take care of one another and our church. I am thankful to be on this journey with you.
A Sunday School Thought
Our church is one to embrace and love each child who enters our doors. The Sunday School teachers have been working with the children who are here but they do miss all their other friends. We are aware that the fall can be very busy with many demands on your family time. We look forward to the attendance of our young ones at worship, Sunday School, and the youth group events that are beginning in November. On November 5, we will meet with the youth grades 5 to 7 for pizza, brainstorming, and fun. The following week, November 12, we will meet for youth K to 4th for pizza fun and an activity. If you would like to become engaged as an adult to help with the monthly youth activity please come and see me for the schedule. I promise a youth meeting I lead will never be boring!
May God Bless You and Keep You,
~ Rev. Tammy Torelli
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