One More 2023 Pastoral Letter
Dearly Beloved Friends (And Flock),
This is our last newsletter of 2023, and as I reflect on the past year, I understand why the New Testament writers always began and ended their letters with words of thanksgiving. Paul, Peter, James, John, and any anonymous writers expressed how grateful they were for the letter’s recipients. Let me begin with the same blessing that I give thanks to God our Father through our Lord Jesus Christ for the ways I see the Holy Spirit at work in you.
I’ve had to write you a number of pastoral letters this year, and it felt appropriate to end with one that looks upwards & forward. Now is the opportunity for us to live out what we believe, and what we believe in is resurrection. New life. New beginnings. Miracles. We are already showing signs of such new birth! Two words that the Lord keeps impressing upon me for 2024 are gratitude & generosity. I will share more in the Epiphany worship series about these words and what they might mean for us.
I will update you that the finance committee will meet this week to discuss and hopefully approve our budget for next year. By the end of this week, we should also have most of our church officers in place and ready to approve. Both officers and the budget will be distributed to our active members soon after. In early January, we will talk about stewardship as well, how you might commit not only your monetary gifts but the gifts of your hands, feet, and hearts.
I give thanks for each of your hearts. It is an honor to serve as your pastor, shepherd, and friend. Let us take our sheep lives into 2024 with gratitude and generosity!
all good things to each of you,
dr. darian