Dear Church Family,

As we seek to grow as disciples, we'll often need to navigate complex issues with the wisdom, compassion, and truth of Jesus. One area (among many) where we need this loving wisdom today is in how we relate to our friends, family, and neighbors in the LGBTQ community. In our cultural moment, historic biblical teaching on sexuality and gender is increasingly viewed by many outside the church, not only as outdated, but even as oppressive. In many cases, Christians themselves may wrestle with the Bible’s teachings on sexuality...seeking to understand why they are good, true, and beautiful, but also seeking to know what this means for how to practically follow Jesus ourselves, and how to love others well.

We don't want to shy away from this area for discipleship as a church, but want to engage it prayerfully and compassionately...because ultimately this is about people. So, later this month, we're going to be offering a Gospel Equipping course called: The Church, Gender, & Sexuality: Loving Our Neighbors with Grace, Wisdom, and Truth. This course, which will include both a video curriculum portion, and group discussion, will explore and discuss these questions, and their implications for our lives and the people we love. We want this to be a context filled with grace, clarity, and nuance, and a safe environment to wrestle with real questions.

A logistical note - we'd previously announced that the course would be starting this Sunday, October 17, but the course will now begin next Sunday, October 24 at 11:00 AM, which will be during the second service, and will be in the Friendship Hall downstairs at church. The course will be facilitated by Ted & Debbie Child, and by Pastor Ben, and will run each Sunday through December 5. Sunday School for children, as well as the nursery will be available at that time as well.  We highly encourage you to join us for this opportunity to grow together.

In Christ,

Pastor Ben