Greetings Friends,

I hope that each of you had a safe and blessed summer. So, here we are again, heading into fall. Schools are back in session, Bible Study is resuming and our monthly board meetings begin planning for the coming year.

As I was contemplating what to write about, I looked back at some of the other letters I have written over the years and came to a conclusion. Over the past 13 years, I have written mostly about three topics. Those being church attendance, supporting the church and faith in Jesus Christ. These three areas are a continual concern.

It seems as though they are connected. The biggest decline in attendance and support began with the emergence of Covid-19. We were forced to worship from home via Facebook Live or not worship at all. This of coarse effected giving and support. When we allowed to re-open and worship together again, only about half of the people returned. Those who stayed away were still concerned about the disease. Then there was the disaffiliation and General Conference 2024 changes to the social principles of our discipline and more people left.

So, here we are almost five years after Covid and a year after General Conference and we are not in good place. Attendance is consistently low which effects giving and support. All because we don’t have the faith that God is with us and will protect us.

We need to get past our fear. Covid has become like the flu. The people of the church are the same people you’ve always known and loved. The changes to the Discipline didn’t change that.

So, as when begin a new season in the church, let us put aside our fears, look past our differences, put our full faith and trust in God and Jesus Christ and come together and gather once again as the church.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Bill