January

It’s hard to believe 2020 is almost here, and hard to believe that we have been together

almost two months! I have many expressions of appreciation to share for the kind welcome

my family has received. Thank you for your friendliness not only to me, but to my kids as

well. Thank you for the home visits I have enjoyed, for your willingness to share information

and history with me as I get oriented to the church, and for your consistent hospitality.

Thank you also to all who contributed to my generous Christmas gift. You have taken us in

and made us feel at home!

I think what I have noticed most about this congregation as we have gotten to know one

another is how very much folks here love to be together – and how much y’all love to eat! In

a world where social isolation has become an epidemic, the fellowship of this congregation

is a gift. It warms my heart to see folks who know one another’s families and histories, who

ask after one another’s health, and know who needs to have a plate of food delivered to their

door after a pitch-in meal. This connectedness is a gift that more people need to experience

in their lives. Did you know that more than 40% of Americans say they are lonely? This is a

number that is steadily rising, and the impacts to physical, mental, and emotional health are

undeniable. How, then, can we widen our circle of friendship to include those who may feel

alone? Who do you need to invite to worship on Sunday or to study group on Wednesday or

to a pitch-in dinner? Are there activities or ministries in which our church needs to engage to

provide our community with opportunities for healthy connection? These are questions I

will continue to ask and that I hope you will ask of yourselves and of one another. How can

we share the love of Christ with our community so that our circle of fellowship may be

widened and the blessing of friendship be shared? I’ll be thinking and praying on this; I

invite you to do the same.

Shalom,

Pastor Kyrmen