Reflections of the Pastor
Happy 2025!!! That has a sort of odd ring to it, but here we are again at the start of another new year that will be filled with much of the same but also speckled with new and exciting things. With the start of a new year, it is often thought that by January 2nd or 3rd we will have already broken the many resolutions and promises that we made before the crystal ball fell on Times Square. Do not fret, resolutions seem to always fall quicker than they are made.
During the Advent Season we focused on different ideas and thoughts that were intended to guide us to Christmas and beyond. We focused on new themes of Dreaming, Harmony, Happiness, and Compassion. Each of those themes are biblically inspired to give us a vision of what we need to do in honoring the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Because every year is filled with mystery and the unknown, we need to turn to God for strength to create a vision of what a heavenly presence will be like here on earth.
As people of faith be believe in those things that we cannot see or understand. Just because we begin to create a vision with God, do not doubt the power of God to have the dreams of harmony and happiness evolve into compassionate living. If we fail to dream, we have little to look forward to in the future. Without dreams we are not living but rather we become stagnant to any promise that God has given.
In this new year we will try to discern the dreams we have as they relate to God’s calling to each of us as we minister to the community of Fitchburg and all its inhabitants. In the discernment process as a church, there will be hard questions asked as we try to understand what God is calling us to do. The thought is to create a small team to have conversations with friends and members to explore their thoughts about the future. (To put some at ease, the pastor will not be included in this process.) The belief is that sharing of your dreams needs to be done in a respectful and non-threatening manner with the hope is that you can be fully honest with your responses.
As a faith community we are at a crossroad because the things we did 50 years ago will not work in 2025. We are a family who has Jesus Christ as the head of the family. You are being asked to be receptive as the Church Council tries to understand what our future will be. Each voice is important and is valued so we implore you to join with us as we dream about what the Rollstone Congregation Church will be in 2026 and beyond.
If you have any comments about what is going to happen please share them with the incoming moderator or the team that will be assembled.
May the year 2025 be a year of enlightenment and discovery.
Blessings,
Pastor Dave