A WORD FROM THE PASTOR….. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
Dear Friends in Christ,
I hope that you are each safe and well these days and that you’re enjoying this slowly emerging spring! I think the cool weather has kept things from moving too fast so that we can enjoy the flowers and budding trees at a leisurely pace. I know that we are all looking forward to warm and sunny days, but for now, I am trying to remain grateful for the blessings this season offers. Somehow, I think a slowly paced spring brings us a special gift as we are also slowly emerging from the isolation and social distancing of the long months of the pandemic. One thing I know for sure is that with God in charge, everything is done perfectly and at the perfect time!
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on my years of active ministry and all the many opportunities I’ve had to learn and grow, with God’s help and guidance. One interesting point I’ve been thinking about involved a program called, Natural Church Development, which the NY Annual Conference began to use in the early 2000’s. The process involves surveying the local congregation to identify where the congregation’s strengths and weaknesses are in the following eight criteria: Empowering Leadership, Gift-Based Ministry, Passionate Spirituality, Effective Structures, Inspiring Worship Services, Holistic Small Groups, Need -Oriented Evangelism, and Loving Relationships. These eight “characteristics” are essential to healthy and vital churches and the program challenges churches to build up their weakest “gift”. Interestingly, the weakest area of focus in nearly every church surveyed at that time was in “Passionate Spirituality” followed closely by “Inspiring Worship”. Truthfully, it was my hope to work with you all in coming months and to take a Natural Church Development journey of discovery with you. However, God had another plan and there isn’t time for us to complete that process now that I am re-retiring in July when you will welcome your new pastor. So, instead, I’m focusing with you on what is often the weakest link for most churches – passionate spirituality. Honestly, even if that’s not the weakest link at UMD, it is such an important part of our Christian discipleship that we can always benefit from focusing our energies in deepening our spiritual gifts and relationship with God.
So, the next question is – how do we do that? And the answer is, of course,- through prayer. Prayer is the way to deepen our relationship with God, to strengthen our faith and to enter into a more loving relationship with our Creator and with one another. In fact, this morning one of my email feeds had this message, “Love isn’t a state of perfect caring. It is an active noun like ‘struggle’.” This nugget of wisdom comes from Fred Rogers, of television fame, who was also an ordained Presbyterian minister. “Mr. Rogers”, as he was known to many children, was a dedicated and life-long “pray-er” who exemplified the power of prayer in everything he did. T.
The fact is that without passionate spirituality, everything else we would do as Christians eventually fades away and falls flat because it is through prayer that we receive the gift(s) we most need to stay strong in the faith – loving and companionable relationship with God! I am convinced that with dedication to prayer all the challenges we face in our lives and in our church and in our community will be overcome – and I would like to ask you to join me in dedicating ourselves to the following:
Daily prayer at 8 am and/or 8 pm as we seek a deeper, passionately loving relationship with God AND joining with me to read the book, Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, by Robert Schnase (available online – or through the church office where we have pre-ordered a few copies). A group discussion of the book will be offered in early June with a major focus on: Passionate Worship (chapter three) and Fruitfulness & Excellence (chapter seven). Please register online or by calling the church office – a separate informational announcement will be sent this week. I’m looking forward to wonderful blessings for us all!
In the meantime, stay in love with God and remember, you are in my prayers…. I love you and I need you to survive!
Peace,
Pastor Betsy
