I want to begin by thanking everyone who has participated in our Informational meetings and Holy Conversation. Our time together has been filled with great questions and comments about how our congregation can be true to our mission while honoring one another’s beliefs.

On Sunday, our conversations led to a consensus that we need to wait for more information after the 2024 General Conference before we make decisions regarding our church’s future with the United Methodist Church.

Our priority as a congregation is to keep the main thing the “main thing.” At the close of the gospel of Matthew, Jesus called each of us to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Our church understands the power and purpose of this mission for our church and community. Our visions are drawn from both the Matthew text and Jesus’ new commandment found in Luke.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27

Our vision for celebrating our faith and our community is to make disciples of Jesus Christ by nurturing all generations to grow in heart, mind, body, and spirit. We can see fruit coming from our commitment to this vision. Now that we have clarity of our mission and purpose because of some amazing conversations. God will honor our work and dreams, so the best of ministry is yet to come!

Rev. Carol D. Sparks
Hate Hurts. Grace Heals. Love Wins!