“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” — Ecclesiastes 3:1
Dear Friends in Christ,
As we enter the beautiful season of autumn, we are reminded once again of God’s faithfulness through the changing seasons of life. The colors of the leaves, the crispness in the air, and the gradual transition from summer to winter invite us to pause and reflect. Autumn is a season of thanksgiving, remembrance, and preparation. As the trees let go of what they have carried through the summer, we too are invited to look back with gratitude and look ahead with hope.
This October is especially meaningful for our congregation as we approach the conclusion of our 50th-anniversary celebration of the formation of the United Ministry of Delhi. Throughout this anniversary year, we have celebrated in three dimensions—faith, music, and community. The community and music events have already given us wonderful opportunities to gather, celebrate, share our gifts, and remember the people and ministries that have shaped our church. The faith aspect of our celebration will reach its conclusion in our special worship service on Sunday, October 25, 2026.
This anniversary is more than a commemoration of fifty years. It is an opportunity to remember God’s faithfulness, honor those who have served before us, give thanks for the ministry we share today, and rededicate ourselves to God’s continuing work through this congregation. Former pastors and I will lead this special service together: Rev. Lisa S. Heckman, Rev. Martha Vinck, Rev. Elizabeth Jane Ott, Rev. Catherine Schuyler, and Pastor Premkumar Immanuel Clement. In our worship, we will seek not simply to remember the past, but to renew our commitment to Christ and to the ministry entrusted to us for the years ahead.
I am deeply grateful to our Church Council Chair, Carol Greene, and to every member of the 50th Anniversary Steering Committee, especially its coordinator, Chelsea Frisbee Johnson, for their extraordinary dedication, leadership, and careful work throughout this anniversary year. Carol and Chelsea have worked closely together to reach out to former congregation members, choir members, and pastors, maintain communication, and invite them to reconnect with UMD and take part in this celebration. Their efforts have also included raising funds to support the church and taking leading roles in planning, coordinating, and organizing the many events that have marked our fiftieth anniversary. Their commitment has brought together people from different chapters of our congregation’s history and reminded us that this anniversary is not simply about a date in our history, but about the people and relationships that have made UMD what it is today.
I am especially thankful to our Music Director, Pat Nabinger, whose tireless leadership, musical gifts, and dedication made the anniversary concert a memorable expression of our shared joy. My sincere appreciation also goes to Ruth Kazmierski, who took great care to gather and preserve photographs, newspaper articles, profiles of former pastors, and many other images and records from our congregation’s life through the years. Through her efforts, we have been able to see our history in its many dimensions—past choir groups, weddings, baptisms, mission trips, Christian education, church events, former pastors, families, and children who grew up within this community, as well as the many people and ministries that have shaped our journey. These treasured memories have helped us see not simply the passage of fifty years, but the people, relationships, ministries, joys, and milestones through which God has shaped our community. I am equally grateful to the members of the Subcommittee on Worship, whose prayerful preparation and thoughtful work are helping us bring this anniversary journey to a meaningful conclusion in worship. To each of you, and to all who have contributed in ways both visible and unseen, thank you for helping make this celebration a true expression of our shared history, faith, gratitude, and hope for the future.
As autumn brings new rhythms to our community, it is also wonderful to see our regular ministries coming alive again. Choir practice and Kids’ Club activities resumed this month, bringing renewed energy, fellowship, learning, and joy to our church. In mid-October, we will also begin Bible study, creating another opportunity for us to grow together in faith, listen to Scripture, ask questions, and discern how God is calling us to live as disciples of Jesus Christ.
May this season remind us that while times and circumstances change, God’s faithfulness remains constant. As we celebrate fifty years of ministry, may we give thanks for those who came before us, cherish the community God has given us today, and prayerfully prepare ourselves for what God may yet do through us.
May God bless our congregation and guide us as we continue this journey of faith, hope, and service together.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Premkumar Immanuel Clement
