For the first three days of this week I joined several other pastors down in Juno Beach at Oceanview United Methodist Church for a retreat, a part of the Residents in Ministry experience that moves us to full connection and ordination. It was a joy to see friends who are serving elsewhere, many of them far enough away elsewhere that I don't get to see them but for these sporadic gatherings. It was a great few days of worship, prayer, and learning.
But it was also really good to come home. Within moments of being back in town, back at Trinity, I was smiling and laughing with some of you in the hallways and dodging excited children from CHEERS as we all enjoyed the new artwork on the second floor of the Education Building. I walked through the quiet half of the Worship Center to join the loud and delicious dinner in the other half as Franny and her team fed folks amazing tacos in the midst of amazing fellowship. And then I had the opportunity to be part of one of my favorite weekly events, joining others in the Chapel for 6:35 Worship. It's great to be home, indeed.
We are blessed to be a part of a church that so intentionally provides us with opportunities to grow and be formed by one another. We cannot put God First or be courageous witnesses without one another, without the ways that God is forming us as we do church and are the church together. My favorite proverb reminds us, "as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another" (Proverbs 27:17 NIV).
If you're looking for ways to be sharpened, let me share some opportunities coming up soon. We will be supporting Faith Mission through the Mission Box this Sunday and highlighting a special event - the Cost of Poverty Experience (COPE) - that will take place at Faith Mission on Saturday, November 9 from 8:45 am - 12:30 pm. I am looking forward to being a part of this powerful learning experience and encourage you to watch this video for more information and to pray about being a part of it, too.
Beginning next week, we will host three families as a part of our partnership in ministry with Family Promise. They will be with us, living at Trinity, from October 13 through October 20, and we still have a need for volunteer servants during that time. If you are able to help, please visit this page for more information and this page to sign up. There are different ways to serve these families, including setting up in advance or tearing down after, being an overnight host, or preparing a meal for one evening. It's an amazing opportunity to offer your time and gifts to families in need.
I pray that you are taking advantage of the opportunities to be sharpened by one another and by the work that God is doing in and through Trinity. You are in my prayers, and I thank you for keeping me in yours.
