Hello Church,

Do you ever have moments when you are reminded that life is all about relationships? I had an experience like that earlier this month when everything besides my relationship with God and others felt of lesser importance. Life on this earth is fragile and fleeting and I know I need to be reminded that loving God and loving others is the call upon my life. That is one of the reasons why I like that we have Mission Weeks twice a year. It helps me to lift my eyes off all of my tasks and stressors and to consider how to get to know people around me, serve a friend outside the church, and tell them who Jesus is, what He has done and how He has been impacting my life. And following this week, we will be turning the corner into a sermon series about the beauty of singleness, marriage, sexuality, and a Christian sexual ethic. It can be a vulnerable topic for some, so I am again reminded: Life is about relationships. No one makes it through this life without some sort of sexual or romantic relationship brokenness or trauma. Let's be the Church as we seek to love those around us who are wrestling with God and let's listen to how God wants to speak to us too.

With you and for you,

Gaia Stanley, on Behalf of the Elder and Minister Team