|
Dear Ebenezer Church Family,
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflecting on the past couple of years, we have done a few significant things. We hosted our first Youth in Arts and Worship program, the first program for children we have had in a number of years. We started Meghan's Sewing School and introduced about fifteen children to the art of sewing. We have maintained contact with the twenty-six children who participated in these initiatives and have deepened their discipleship journey by nurturing the love of Christ. We have cleaned up and consolidated our campus significantly, relocated the Preschool, and restored the chapel.
We have engaged in the powerful work of spiritual formation through our prayer services, Sunday school classes, and Bible Study. We have also witnessed and participated in the bridge-building ministry of music through our Christmas Concert and bell choir. We have fed the hungry and visited the sick. All while maintaining the beauty of the church grounds.
Our strategic move from the main sanctuary to the chapel, along with the transition to a part-time pastor, may feel like a step back to some. However, these decisions reflect our commitment to being faithful stewards of God's resources, ensuring the sustainability of our ministry. Looking back on what we have accomplished so far is nothing short of miraculous… and there is more to do.
Dear friends, "So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up." — Galatians 6:9 (NRSVUE)
During our recent church retreat, we engaged in meaningful discussions on cultural humility and sensitivity, emphasizing the importance of embracing diversity within our congregation. In our business meeting, we reviewed the church's financial health and envisioned the future steps for our community. Thank you to everyone who showed up and talked about the things that make us uncomfortable. I know it was not easy, but the word of God teaches us that these things produce endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5
In the coming weeks, I invite each of us to pray and think about this question: What is one thing we can do collectively, do well, and do consistently for the rest of this year that reaches beyond the four walls of the church? This one thing will be our outreach focus for the rest of the year.
Another accomplishment that came from our meeting — through the collaborative efforts of those in attendance, we have crafted a new vision statement for our church:
"Ebenezer United Methodist Church invites all generations in faith through Jesus Christ as we cultivate a spiritually vibrant community that cherishes the wisdom of age and celebrates the vitality of youth and children. We strive to serve, connect, and unify a diverse community with the love of Christ."
This statement will be a guiding principle for our church. Everything we do will align with this vision, and this is a good vision.
So, people of God, let us hold fast to our faith and continue our good work, trusting that in due season, we will reap the harvest of our labors.
Peace and Grace,
| 
