Dear Church, 

A few weeks ago, we entered 2024 with the sacred practice of choosing intentional "star words" throughout the year. Just like the Magi, we will look to these star words to lead us, guide us, and help us draw closer to God throughout the year. While the idea of making New Year's Resolutions permeates our culture, we remind ourselves that these star words are rooted in the desire to draw closer to Jesus. We pray that this year you are able to draw closer to the heart of God, a heart that beats with love, grace, and acceptance for all. As we move into 2024, may you step into the new year with confidence, peace, and the knowledge that you are the beloved of God. 

This year, our church is stepping into a new year filled with many questions. These questions stem from our pastoral transition, but more deeply they are rooted in the past, present, and future of our community. These questions can sometimes be scary, but they can also lead us to where we're supposed to be. These questions may come in many forms: Who will our next pastor be? What is next for this faith community? Will things be the same, or different? What is my place within this community? What am I able to give? What must I stop doing? 

These questions are spiritual questions, and we believe that they draw us closer to the heart of God. So we encourage you to lean into these questions instead of avoiding them. Wrestle with them. Pray over them. Share them with others, and the leadership of the church. And know that we are right there with you in the wrestling, the confusion, the doubts, and the fears. And just like we are with you, we believe that God is with us. We believe that important, sacred things are ahead for this community, though we don't know exactly what that looks like yet. 

As we continue through Epiphany, we know a few things: Jesus has been born. And at Easter, we will celebrate his death and resurrection. But what about that in-between time? Jesus has been born, but now what? Over the next few weeks, please join us as we explore this idea of "Now What?" We are especially excited to have Brian Wallace join us on January 28th to answer this question by going over the results of the Holy Cow Survey with us. Mark your calendars! More information below. 

We are so thankful and honored that you are on this journey with us. As we travel together and attempt to answer "What Next?", may the grace, love, and peace of God be with us. Amen. 

We hope you're able to join us on Sunday as we hear from Brian Wallace about the Holy Cow survey results-Have a wonderful week!