Pastor’s Corner – Sunday, Sep. 27
Dear Beloved,
So many special opportunities for remembering, honoring, giving thanks, learning, and celebrating in the fall. What is your favorite? I have so many favorites now because the more I learn (and the more years I journey), the more there is to remember and give thanks for - the more that I know that I don’t know - the more people and creatures there are to learn from and with - thank you for being on this journey of faith and life with me. It is an honor and blessing to know you and to serve with you.
One of my long-time fall favorite days is World Communion Sunday - I have always enjoyed learning from people from near and far. I find hope in knowing we are connected through God’s Spirit - connected to all that lives and moves and has their being now, before us, and after us, but more on that next month when we celebrate All Saints day. Today I want to invite you to pray with and for our Global Partners, especially those we have covenanted to partner with as a Global Ministries Congregation. You can explore more at www.globalministries.org. Over my experiences with Friedens UCC we’ve had many, many guests from Global Ministries - both from the offices here in the United States of America and those serving abroad. They have come to share about our theology of accompaniment and mutuality. They have come to bring stories of our partners - medical facilities, educational communities, agricultural centers, and so much more. When we receive our partners, we grow and learn. When we take people-to-people pilgrimages, we are blessed and changed. I could write books, but instead, I leave you with two offerings: an invitation to come and hear a mission moment and visit with a Global Ministries Staff member on Sunday, October 4th and words from a recent email exchange with Elena who has visited us many times. Elena is a missionary kid (her parents served with global communities abroad her whole life), and she has spent her life serving with our global partners. From Elena - Please let them know that on “ World communion Sunday and Global Ministries.... remind our siblings in Christ that they are not alone! We are many around the world seeking peace, justice and dignity, each doing our part in our corner of the world.”
With gratitude and hope,
Sarah
PS - I think it is an amazing gift from God that we on the south side of Indy now live in a very global and culturally diverse community with so many beautiful languages, foods, shades, experience and backgrounds. Praises be to God!
Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 106:1
