As it was said many times on Sunday, January 25, by many different people, the past year we shared together was full of challenge. Updating our bylaws, assessing our name, and forming a budget in a time of organizational and global economic strain, had us working hard in new ways to talk faithfully with each other, always with care, respect, and patience. After many church forums and congregational meetings, we came to our Annual Meeting ready to speak and listen again, voting openly, then, in the Congregational tradition. It was an historic day in our life together, and I thank all who were present for the faithfulness shown, and Al Gledhill, our Moderator, for his leadership. While the name of our church did not change with the events of this past year, I believe our community did. We grew in our abilities to live and learn together in all of our diversity through difficult times. Through God’s Spirit and our love, we moved through a year of great transition.

January 25 was also the day we said “farewell” to Rob. Celebrating his nine years of service, we gave thanks for the ways he touched so many people through his ministry, young and old alike. His preaching and teaching, his pastoral outreach and mission involvement will be greatly missed. At the same time, we can be glad that his spirit lives on as we continue traveling the path we shared with him. Though we are parted physically, we will forever be joined by the Spirit’s power as we work to build Christ’s mission in this world.

And that is what we prayerfully undertake as we move forward together with nearly 130 positions filled on the newly approved Nominating Committee’s slate. Day by day, week by week, we will work together so that we and others may come to know more deeply the great Christian claim, “Love never ends.”

Amen—may it be so.
TheReverend Lael Atkinson