Monthly Message | October

“Next year at this time I am a more loving version of myself and the kingdom of God has come more fully in this community as a result of us being church together. Fruit of the Spirit.”

That quote was shown during a session of Bishop’s Convocation that I attended in September. Much of the discussion during those few days concerned how churches can become more transformational and help their communities transform.

I think that quote is a wonderful goal for each of us individually and for St. Mark as a church community — that over the course of the next year we (each of us) become more loving versions of ourselves, a more loving version of the church, and the kingdom of God comes more fully in our communities as a result of us being church together. That’s probably a good goal to have every year!

Lately, we have been doing a good deal of thinking on who we are as a church community, as we finish up the Congregational Vitality Survey in early October. This month, we can think more individually as I ask that you prayerfully take a look at and fill out our Let’s Walk Together form (formerly called Discerning Your Gifts). You can fill out the form online or on paper.

“Not another form to fill out!” you may be thinking, and I understand that thought! But rather than seeing this as just another form, view Let’s Walk Together as an invitation for each of us to think about how we can see ourselves helping in this life-changing work and journey we do at St. Mark and in our own communities. Whether it is providing help for worship on Sundays, visiting people, community outreach, or leading something entirely new, we are walking together. And together, each of us has gifts God has given us that we can share and offer back.

This also is an invitation to look at the needs of the communities we live in, our neighbors, and of the church as a whole, and think about all of the possibilities of what St. Mark can do. Are there new ventures for the church to consider? Are there needs not being met in our communities that St. Mark can help fill? If you think of a new ministry or project that is at least worthy of discussion, please write it down at the end of the Let’s Walk Together form or just message me. Let us be open to all things possible through God’s Holy Spirit.

While we continue to look forward, I do want to just say a huge Thank You! Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do now in walking with the church and/or walking with others in this transformational journey each of us has. I continue to be amazed by how Holy Spirit is working here at 850 Snydertown Road and spreading. I continue to be inspired by what you all do in your communities when you see the needs of your neighbor and others, and you look for ways to bring them comfort and help so that they know they are not alone. You are sharing God’s love with the world one person at a time, and that is such a gift! Thank you!

Blessings!

Pastor David