February 2011

            “For where two or three are gathered in my name,

            I am there among them.”

             ­ Matthew 18:20

Over the past year, we have taken a closer look at the vitality of our congregation.  We have met in small groups, gathered for worship, been more intentional in our prayer life, and we have started to look at reaching out to those who are not yet part of this vibrant and caring community of faith.

In the coming weeks, each one of you will be invited to join in a "Cottage Meeting."  These one‑time meetings, of 8‑12 persons, will give all of us an opportunity to share our thoughts and our feelings about the church we call home.  I ask each of you to prayerfully consider participating in this process.  These meetings will be an opportunity to share our dreams and visions, to look closely at where we feel God is calling us as a congregation, and to begin to take the steps toward those visions.

We also begin another Lenten season with our Ash Wednesday service on February 22, and our Wednesday Lenten dinners and services throughout Lent.  Lent is traditionally a time of prayerful meditation and discernment, and this season of listening for God's will in our lives can also serve as a continuation of the process that will begin during our Cottage Meetings.

We are told in the above verse from the gospel of Matthew that when two or three (or more) are gathered together that Jesus is there with us as well.  May we all feel the presence of our Lord as we spend time together discerning his will in our church and in our lives.

Blessings,

Pastor Amy