As the Christmas decorations are packed away for another year, and we all get serious about losing that pound or two we picked up from the holidays (that we will give up on in March), I want to express my thanks once more for all of you. We have had our second meaningful Christmas together as a church. That is in large part due to the work, talents, and dedication of all of you. This time last year, everything seemed so uncertain- especially our future. We didn’t even have a place to worship at. Today, what seemed insurmountable, is now in the review window and our mind moves toward the future.
Before we fast forward to tomorrow I want us to stop for a moment and think about all that we have accomplished over the past year. Here is an incomplete list:
MISSIONS and OUTREACH
1. Organized and Protested at “No Kings Day”
2. Donated $500 to Wesley-Luther Campus Ministry/Food Pantry
3. Collected $800 for Afghan Refugees in Guilford Co.
4. Attended Planning Meetings with “Guilford Aging Alliance”
5. Collected the materials for and distributed 100 care packages to the homeless
6. Collected food for Simple Gestures
RELIGIOUS SERVICES
1. An Ordination Service for Pastor Paul
2. A Service of Consecration for the new church
3. A Lenten Season with the theme “Words for a New Beginning”
4. A memorial for our mother and friend, Carroll Lee
5. A Sermon Series on “Exodus: Themes of Liberation”
6. A Launch Sunday Service
7. An Advent Season, “Choosing Hope over Fear”
8. A combined service with Faith Pres, packing homeless care packages
Church Planning
1. Organizational workshop meetings on church starts
2. The crafting and approval of a church constitution
3. The crafting and approval of church beliefs and convictions
4. The formation of a church council and procedures
5. The filing and Governmental approval of our 501c3
6. The filling and approval from the Sec. of State for our IEN
7. Find a location and setting up our worship spaces
8. Formation of Sunday School
Church Outings and Fun
1. A Bob Ross Paint Party
2. Robert Brewer and the Disappointments Concert
3. Church outing to the Carolina Theatre
4. Trip to Celebration Station to Putt Putt
5. Summer Faith and Film Series
6. Bingo at Freddys
7. Christmas Party
I think about all the places where we have seen the Spirit in action. In the eyes of strangers passing out care packages, In the difficult moments of planning, in the sounds of laughter of our friends as we compared our paintings from Bob Ross Paint Party. As we began this community, the only statement we developed firmly was, “to be bold in faith in action”. We understood that to be in line with the teachings of Christ.
Over the course of this year our focus will need to shift from formation and founding to that of reaching out and growing. Is it important to grow in community? Yes. But I pray that we each find a personal and spiritual growth in the new year as well. That we each come to feel the Spirit’s movements in our life that beckon us towards loving one another more radically and meaningfully. That will be the guarantee that we follow the course of being bold in faith and action.
This new year will have its own unique challenges. We have all ready discussed the ways in which we need to be more present with our immigrant neighbors more urgently. Or food collection drives following the temporary end of WIX and SNAP are just getting underway. In those moments where it seems like the hill ahead may be too steep, I would invite you to take a moment to review the list above. Remember what we are all capable of as a community. With the help of the Creator, we can achieve beautiful and meaningful endeavors this year as well. We will continue to see the Spirit at work, in one another and out in the community.Thank you all for all that you have done to get this dream off the ground.
Blessings,
Pastor Paul