I spent a few minutes this week looking backward at our church’s calendar from when I started and wow! It has been a full two months. I look ahead to what is coming in October and that is a packed with exciting things as well. There is a lot happening at this church, and I am honored to be a part of it. In my short time here, I have heard stories about when the pews were fuller, or when there were more programs and events happening. These stories are tinted with sadness over what has been lost. Loss is painful. But naming the pain helps it to healing. Denying that it exists just denies the possibility of true healing. Ministry is still happening in this congregation; it is just different than the past. It is different and still holy.

I think we are in a hinge moment in this congregation. We are walking through the doorway of what has happened into what is happening. It is time to continue with the healing process, it is time to keep reforming in this congregation. From where I am standing every week, I look out and see a group of people who are more than ready to walk this path. I see a group of people who are doing ministry with all they have got. It is inspiring, as a new member of this church to be a part of such an enthusiastic group. I want to keep encouraging us to learn from our past and to anticipate God to work in the future. Paul writes to the church in Philippi, “I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.” The work God is doing on us is in sure and steady progress. I am confident it will be brought to completion by the Holy Spirit.