Category Archives: Pastor’s Letters

Pastor’s Letter November 30, 2022

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“What’s Your Superpower?”

On the first day of Ms. Heinbeck’s kindergarten class, little Johnny came running into the classroom. The arms of his coat were tied loosely around his neck, and he was making ‘whooossh’ sounds while his hands were thrust out in front of him. 

Ms. Heinbeck stopped Johnny at the door with a smile. “Hello,” she began, “and who might you be?” Johnny looked up at her and smiled back. 

He then said, “you have to guess. But you can ask one question.”

 “Ok, what’s your superpower?”

Johnny’s smile grew even wider, and he ran around her and said, “I can fly, can you see me?”

Laughing with joy, Ms. Heinbeck replied, “Oh yes, yes, I see you Superman. Welcome. Would you find a seat on the rug; so, we can begin?”

Johnny (aka Superman) did as he was requested after a few more lazy circles around the room. 

‘Today is a good day,’ Ms. Heinbeck thought as they started to get to know each other and learn as a community. 

Each day over the next few months began the same way. Johnny came in with a new superpower and Ms. Heinbeck guessed who he was. Then the whole class set about engaging in the day’s lessons. However, as Ms. Heinbeck got to know the class, she witnessed something else. Johnny, in whatever superhero persona he was that day, always was the first to help other students. The first to include other people in a game. The first to offer a hug or a kind word. All of this brought a special joy to Ms. Heinbeck, one that no one knew she needed.

For, you see Ms. Heinbeck had become saddened by the school system and the students, almost jaded. In fact, her teaching had become bland and uninspiring because of so much that happened throughout the pandemic. Now, every day seemed to drag on with the school’s focus on testing and the students’ lack of participation which was disheartening. So much so that Ms. Heinbeck had considered quitting at the end of the year. That was until Johnny came in and started to fly around the classroom with joy at just being accepted for who he was.

Then one Monday, Johnny came walking in just like everyone else. Sad and not a glimmer of any superhero to be seen. Still, Ms. Heinbeck stopped him at the door with a smile and said, “hello and who might you be?”

Johnny glancing up started to say, “it’s me…” but, Ms. Heinbeck cut him off mid-stream.

“Wait, I’m sorry. I forgot. I have to guess, right?”

“No, ma’am,” he continued. “It’s me – just me. I had a birthday over the weekend and now I gotta be a big boy. Not a superhero. So, it’s just me…”

Ms. Heinbeck understood but did not let him finish before asking, “what’s your superpower?” 

The interaction seemed to confuse Johnny and make him all the more upset as he had really enjoyed “being” these superheroes with Ms. Heinbeck. Yet, he had to grow up now and be a big boy. So, he just stood there and gazed at her, unsure how to respond. 

Ms. Heinbeck did not miss a beat as she continued, ”hmmm, you are not telling me your power; so, it must be one of the best powers in the whole world. It’s got to be the one which can heal hearts. Make friends. Bring joy to everyone they meet. A power like that can welcome and accept everyone. If that’s your superpower, then never let it go because it’s the only one that matters in this world and the most powerful one of all. Does that sound like your power?” She asked.

Johnny stopped and thought for a moment and figured it would be ok to play for one more day. So, he nodded his head and smiled.

Ms. Heinbeck smiled back and said with a joy in her voice that had been gone for a very long time, “Oh wow, I think I know what your superpower is. It’s ‘Love’ and that would make you Johnny the superhero who saved me.” Johnny (aka Johnny) smiled even wider though not fully understanding as he threw his arms around her before they began the lessons of the day.

Johnny never did let go of that superpower, even though he became a big boy too.

Beloved,

May the Light of God’s Love fill your hearts in this Advent season and throughout all the struggles we face every day. Not only that but may we also ALL be the Light of Love that someone else needs in this world for this is the greatest superpower which God has given to each of us. Amen.

Your pastor and teacher

Brian

Pastor’s Letter October 19, 2022

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An image of people holding hands in a circle praying.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own insight.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.”
-Proverbs 3:5-6

Good morning Beloved,

I pray you are all well and safe on this blessed day of Creation. I pray this knowing, as many of you know, that not everyone in our community is safe. The world around us swells with a variety of illnesses, violent actions, and financial unknowns. These concerns tear at our hearts personally while our worries for each other have become almost palpable in the air we breathe. It almost feels as if this time – this time is when we should be throwing on the sack cloth and lamenting before God. Begging to know what we can do…

Yet, the Truth is that God has told us what to do many times. His Truth has filtered through Her Word many times in the God-inspired scripture we know to be true. Its just really, really hard to do. That Truth is “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” For, God will guide us to where we are meant to be, nay to where we have to be, in order to fulfill the plans God has in store for all of us. This truth is hard. The truth that sometimes we have to simply let go and trust in God. 

I am reminded of this reality today more than ever as we discussed our troubling financial situation at the Vision and Leadership Team meeting last night. Specifically, we discussed the loss of Cliff’s Driving school, the rising inflation, and how it is afflicting everyone in our community personally. We also discussed the amazing engagement over the last year and subsequent burn out of many people in this church community. We looked at the reality of next year’s budget and agreed it looks bleak. From my insights alone, it looks bleak. But yet, I heard those words from Proverbs again and realized it is not my insights alone that matter. We must trust in God and come together as a community if we are to discover how to make next years budget – faithfully. Then again, we must also trust in God and the call which is placed before us if the budget cannot be met – faithfully. 

To explain as simply as possible, we must do one of two things, or possibly both, next year.
1. Raise more funds for the ministry and Mission of our church
2. Lower the spending of the ministry and Mission of our church

Right now, we are facing this reality and the reality that many of you are already generously giving of your treasures, talents, and time. Giving to the point, that some of you are dipping into your savings or stretching yourselves paper thin each month to share with the community. This beloved is not what anyone wants to see. No one should have to feel a burden by supporting the church. It is the same as all of you who have worked tirelessly to put together Craft Fairs, Yard Sales, Community Dinners and burnt yourselves out in the attempt to bring our ministry to the greater Salem community. This truth is even seen in all of you who have worked hard to maintain and create connection throughout the last two years in online worship, actually giving up time to be in prayer or worship in order to serve those online and share their prayers and thoughts. To all of you who have been so faithful, I am blessed to be called as your pastor and teacher. And to all of you, no one can expect or request any more than the faithful engagement you have revealed, thank you.

To all the rest of you, we need you to step up and become part of our community once again. We need your voice to help us – to bring new insights – to build us as a community – together. We need you to be willing to change if that is what God is calling us to do because right now we are at our limit of doing things as they have always been done before. By “at the limit” I mean people are becoming burnt out, as explained above. Therefore, we have to work together both now and for the future of this church community and come up with new ways to share our time – our talents and yes even new ways to gather treasures in order to support the basic needs of this church ministry. We need your insights and participation, now more than ever because the reality is that if we cannot discover new ways or get your assistance to help raise funds in the coming year, we as a church will have to limit our staff.

Yes, this truth means next year we may have to cut down to half or 3/4 time pastor and / or pause the Christian Education director position and Music Director position. This reality is where we are and in all of this, I pray you will do the hardest thing in the world and trust God. Yes, help however and wherever you can, step up and reengage our community, come to the VLT meeting on December 9th to discuss the possibilities; and, even if all of this work does not help us balance the budget, we need you to trust in God that we are being directed into a new phase of God’s plan for our church.

I pray that all are well and safe. My heart cries out to all of you while sharing my faithful belief that God is carrying us wherever and however He wishes us to be in this magnificent ministry of Her Church.

With all my love and faith
your pastor and teacher, Brian

Pastor’s Letter September 28, 2022

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A watercolor image of a tree with leaves changing colors. Red, yellow and green primarily.

Hello beloved, 

I pray you are all doing well on this beautiful fall morning. The changing leaves this morning reminded me that God’s beauty is all around us every day. And as I watched the burgeoning reds and yellows – the golds and oranges, I did think about how they would all turn brown soon. Rather, God turned my heart to the way the tree began. From a simple sapling. Saplings which, over time, had broken free from the hard seeds that confined them. Released from their prison, the sapling started to grow – force its way from the ground. Withstood storms and weather year after year until it grew into the magnificent giant trees with multicolored leaves, which fly past us as we speed down the highways – today. 

In all this glorious beauty, I wondered why the sapling grew, climbed from the ground, broke free of the shell which bound it in birth? Did the sapling grow out of duty or from inspiration? 

I wondered for a moment and thought, it is just a tree. That is what trees do, right? But then again, I looked to witness the trees bending to the light. Each limb climbing higher and higher. Struggling to find its way to the sun. Oh, maybe I was wrong, and the tree is inspired by the sun – by the light – by the love God created in the world. Either way, we will never know for these are trees. Maybe though, we are not really speaking about trees – at all.

Maybe – just maybe – the beauty I saw this morning was really – all of you. Striving for the Son – the light – the love God created for all. At least, this truth is my hope. My hope that you are inspired by God in everything you do. Inspired by God to teach, to clean, to sell your wares. Not out of duty, for, duty will only help you do the barest minimum in this world. No, I hope you are inspired – inspired by God and the magnificent beauty around us every day. Inspired to love your family, your fellowship, your neighbors. Inspired to be the tree climbing higher and higher towards the light.

In these moments of life, I pray that you – let God inspire you – in everything from the mundane to the beautiful – from the Heavenly gifts to the simple stones – from everyday work to our worship together as one amazing fellowship. And may we all be inspired as live in God’s Creation – together.

your pastor and teacher, Brian

During this fall, let us consider how to live out our love. Remember love and faith is not just a feeling but an action we do every day. Feel free to text, call, or email me always to share as I am here to support you and your relationship with God wherever you are on the journey. My number is (207-350-9561) if you need anything or simply want to talk. Next week, I have been called to celebrate some of that love in our world through Angel’s son’s wedding. Therefore, I will be on vacation through the ninth of October. Many blessings to you all.

Pastor’s Letter September 21, 2022

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Man accepting the grace of God.

Hello Beloved,

I pray you are all well and healthy on this beautiful day. And it truly is a beautiful day as we continue to pass through the storms of this world. Through faith, we have made it through. Thank God. 

Sometimes, we forget that simple prayer of gratitude; yet today it is important to remember. It is important to remember because God has given us the tools and gifts to make it through the storms of life. It is important to remember because this moment of God’s glory is not only in the present, but also all around us. It is important to remember for the twelve families of our community who came down with Covid recently have all started to heal without a need for anyone to become hospitalized. Thanks be to God.

Beloved, we know this reality may or may not have been the case two and a half years ago. But now, the virus has become not much more than a cold to many, the vaccines and medications are helping to heal people, our community, our nation, our humanity continues to be revealed in our mutual care and love for one another. What a blessing, today is now that the storm of Covid is passing. For all of these graces and the blessings of all of you, I am truly grateful now and always to God. 

With this in mind, let us return to worship, fellowship, and our ministries with gracious hearts for God is carrying us through the storms of life. Guiding our wisdom and quieting our fears. Yes, be cautious and careful if you feel you need to be; but know, that we are held in God’s Loving hands – now and always. We are held by these hands; so, we may be the hands of Christ living out our love every day in the world, through faith. 

Thank you, God, for carrying and healing us through the storm of the Covid outbreak. The one thing each pastor has been concerned with for the last number of years. Thank you, God and blessings be upon all, of you throughout the community. Thank you, God, for revealing to us how this fearful virus has become not much more than a cold in our world.

May God’s healing love continue to bless and care for each and every one of you as we return to worship God together through our faith, ministries, and worship.

Your pastor and teacher, Brian

During the fading summer and early fall, let us consider how to live out our love each day. Remember love and faith is not just a feeling but an action we do every day. Feel free to text, call, or email me always to share as I am here to support you and your relationship with God wherever you are on the journey. My number is (207-350-9561) if you need anything or simply want to talk. Next week, my pastoral care hours are Tues. 12-5, Wed. 11-3, Thurs. 10-2. Many blessings to you all.

Pastor’s Letter September 14, 2022

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An image of a man siting and praying with a mask on.

Good Morning Beloved,

I pray you are all well and healthy on this beautiful fading day of summer. A time which brings us a new year of school and with it all the reuniting of friends, returning of cooler weather, and, of course, resurgence of colds, flu, and Covid. This latter reality has come into the life of our church community as someone who was in church on Sunday has tested positive for Covid. May God continue to keep their case mild and heal them quickly along with all who may come down with this illness. As such, it seems reasonable to assume all who were in church this weekend were exposed. Sadly, this reality is what we can and should expect from time to time in our current world. 

That said, vaccines, good health practices, as well as a virus which has mutated to become less lethal has lessoned the risk for all of us; therefore, I am praying this outbreak will remain limited and everyone affected will heal well.

Speaking of good health practices, I would invite everyone to follow the CDC guidelines to the best of their ability. The explanation of exposure can be viewed here and the guidelines as to what to do if exposed  can be viewed here. Guidelines which suggest mask use for anyone who has been exposed for 10 days. Day 1 would be Monday if you were in church. I also encourage everyone to take a Covid rapid test after day 5, or on Friday. Next, please let me know if you come down with Covid; so, we can continue to do contact tracing and determine the risk to our community. We are also encouraging (not mandating) everyone wear masks while at the church this week and next to hopefully limit any additional spread. Finally, please remember that if you are feeling ill or are homebound, we will find a way to share worship with you. So stay home, rest and recover; so, you can come back healthy and join us in community sooner.

The church will currently remain open as the exposure seems limited and contained. If anything changes, I will share the information with all of you immediately via email and Facebook. Again, I am thankful we have various tools at hand and talented members in our faith family to adjust to changing situations which may come up during these times of expected surges. Sadly, it simply is today’s Covid reality.

Many Healthy Blessings,
Pastor Brian 

During the fading summer and early fall, let us consider how to live out our love each day. Remember love and faith is not just a feeling but an action we do every day. Feel free to text, call, or email me always to share as I am here to support you and your relationship with God wherever you are on the journey. My number is (207-350-9561) if you need anything or simply want to talk. Next week, my pastoral care hours are Tues. 12-5, Wed. 11-3, Thurs. 10-2. Many blessings to you all.

Pastor’s Letter Sep. 4, 2022

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An image of a diverse group of people walking together. The image is taking from behind.

Hello beloved,

I hope you are all well on this Labor day weekend and last Sunday of our summer. Next week, we will rally back to church at 10 am to worship God and celebrate the gifts of so many people in our community. It’s about time isn’t it? It is about time to rally back to worship, to fellowship, to God. I feel in many ways this year’s Rally Sunday is about more than just coming back after a long summer, it is about coming back after a long pandemic.

That said, we know Covid is not over and many of our friends are still maintaining a degree of safety. Let us continue to keep them in our prayers. Please know if you are one of these souls, you are not forgotten and thought of often by everyone in the church. Still, this era of the pandemic seems to be waning and our time to rally again in our faith seems to be needed by many. Your voice and presence, I know, is needed by me. And I say “needed” as Proverbs 27:17 reminds us “Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens the wits of another.” Your wits, insights, belief in God sharpens mine as well as I hope I do for all of you. We teach and learn from one another in ways that cannot always be seen. 

Take for example last Wednesday, the sin of pride and the healing ability of humility came up in the message. It was not until someone chatted with me about their upbringing that I understood a misunderstanding. For, you see they saw pride as a good thing – being proud of family, country, a good day’s work. And that all makes sense as it is one of the definitions of pride. However, pride as a sin is not a good thing. It is the “excessive view of one’s self without regard for others” and one of the other definitions of this word. This latter definition is the way I was using it throughout the message but somehow there was a disconnect. Furthermore, it is not just a sin in the apocrypha text we read that night. The term is found throughout the Bible such as in Jeremiah 9:23-24, “…Let not the mighty man boast of his might…but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me…” Pride is also mentioned in the following verses: Proverbs 8:13, Proverbs 16:18, Romans 12:16, 1 Corinthians 13:4, Galatians 6:3 and James 4:6-7. 

The point is that without that conversation, I could not sharpen my wit and my delivery of God’s message. Therefore, thank you to that soul. A truth, I believe goes both ways. At least, I hope it does. I pray that all our interactions in worship and discussions afterward also sharpen your wit and deepen your faith as we walk on this journey of our faith together. 

For our community, which is sometimes on very different parts of our journey, I find our interactions a great gift. We are able to sharpen our faith – our wit – our beliefs better when they are confronted by different views. It is a truth as old as the old testament. It is a practice of learning used as far back as Socrates. It is one of the greatest gifts we have as a community. But, it only works when we show up and share our presence and thoughts. It is only a blessing when we are confronted with other truths – other beliefs – other ways of living out our love with God. So, let us rally again next week and come together as one fellowship – one community – worshiping God in a variety of ways along the journey – together.

May you have a safe, restful, and wonderful Labor Day before we rally once more together – for God.

Your pastor and teacher, Brian

During the summer, let us consider and remember how to love God each day. Remember love and faith is not just a feeling but an action we do every day – even rest can be an action. Feel free to text, call, or email me always to share as I am here to support you and your relationship with God wherever you are on the journey. My number is (207-350-9561) if you need anything or simply want to talk. Next week, the church will be closed on Monday for the holiday and my pastoral care hours are Tues. 12-5, Wed. 11-3, Thurs. 10-2. Many blessings to you all.

Pastor’s Letter August 28, 2022

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An image of a women resting in a hammock while reading a book.

Hello beloved,

God’s Love

May kindness flow – like water – through you

May your toil bring, the seeds of Love to you

May the breath of God rush – to comfort you

May the warmth of the Son gently cover you

May God’s Love be the gift, we seek and give

Amen

I pray you are all feeling the gift of God’s Love today and every day. I wanted to start my letter this way as poems, to me, are a wonderful expression of faith and how I enjoy the sabbath. That time of respite and recovery. That gift from God where we simply rest and worship. Yet, we do not always do this “resting” – well – do we? At least, most protestants fall into this trap of not resting. Instead, we rush around and do more and more because worshiping God is our passion and joy and because it just needs to be done. We rush around until we simply crash and can do nothing more. I have seen people get to this point where worship itself is just too much to do and it becomes just another thing, another expectation, another duty.

But this path is not how God Creates us. We are created to rest as well as toil. To be revived in the joy of worship and fellowship on the sabbath. So, we will all be re-energized for the week ahead.

Still, “things must get done.” I hear these words and your thoughts – beloved, especially all of you who are involved in all the ministries of this church. The roughly thirty to forty of you who help in everything, I hear you and witness your exhaustion. And I hope the other seventy to eighty souls of our community who are not involved – who have sat back in rest for so long – who do not share their voice in our fellowship will step forward to give you a rest as well. I hope these souls will join us in our church ministries even if it is in a new way because they cannot physically be in church. But for now – today – it is the sabbath. Nothing needs to get done on this last Sunday in August.

Therefore, simply rest and worship God in your heart, if not in your body. Rest, rejuvenate, and let the worry of things that “need to get done” – drift away. God will provide what we truly need and what we need is for all of you to find some well-deserved rest in these fading summer days.

With all of God’s Love, I pray you take today to fully rest in the way which re-energizes your soul.

Many blessings of love,

your pastor and teacher, Brian

During the summer, let us consider and remember how to love God each day. Remember love and faith is not just a feeling but an action we do every day – even rest can be an action. Feel free to text, call, or email me always to share as I am here to support you and your relationship with God wherever you are on the journey. My number is (207-350-9561) if you need anything or simply want to talk. Next week, my pastoral care hours are Tues. 12-5, Wed. 11-3, Thurs. 10-2. Many blessings to you all.

Pastor’s Letter August 21, 2022

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An image of children happily running to get on the bus.

Hello beloved,

I hope you are all doing well and enjoying these last few weekends of the summer. These last few weekends as our young adults head off to college and our youth prepare for the new school year ahead. I was thinking about this time during the week and I have to admit that a small smile came to my face. How wonderful and exciting this time of year always was for me. The time when I did not know exactly what to expect as my family went school shopping for clothes and supplies. When I did not know exactly what I was going to learn or who I was about to meet. The time of endless possibilities. I love that feeling and gift; and, it is a gift to me. It is the same feeling I have now, everyday, as I wake up. The endless possibilities of the day ahead.

Sadly, not everyone has that feeling of endless possibilities. Some people feel stuck – trapped – lost. Many of us have felt that way over the years due to depression, addiction, bad relationships, abuse, economic insecurity, skin color, or even body structure. To anyone who is or has felt stuck – trapped – lost, I am sorry that you had to endure this feeling in your life. It does not feel good and for that I am sorry. Still, the child inside of me cries out and reminds us that there really are endless possibilities for all people. It is that child inside of me who sings the song of hope: “whoever is joined with all the living has hope” (Ecc. 9:4). It is the child inside of me that reminds me how I found my way out of feeling stuck – trapped – lost. 

It is the wonder of a new day that God has created – new friends to share the day with – and the new person I am about to become. I was able to find my way out of that dark place because I remembered to love God, my neighbor and myself. And myself for how I have been created. Not perfect but accountable for my decisions and failings. I found my way out because I learned how to try better each day and forgive myself when a mistake was made. Now, beloved, this particular path may not work for everyone and I left you with very broad strokes because so many of these dark places are different. My way may not help you directly especially as there are some things we simply cannot change in the world no matter how hard we try.

However, there are in the midst of this story three truths which I believe will help us all in those dark times of our life. 1. Love and loving God, our neighbors, and ourselves will help you find your way out. 2. We each have a choice. It does not always feel that way; but, it is there. For, God has made a way for everyone in this world. Remember, whoever is joined with the living has hope. 3. Each day that God creates brings endless possibilities for us all. It is our choice – ultimately – whether to follow the way back to love or remain in despair. Even a phone call – a message – a small “help” is a choice which I, for one, will always answer. One which I believe everyone reading this will answer. One which I hope you will answer, even if the words come from your lips. 

May we all consider how we can answer the cries for help and despair in this world – answer them with all the Love God has placed within our hearts. So, everyone in the world can feel the small child inside, excitedly waiting for the endless possibilities of the day ahead.

With all of God’s Love

Your pastor and teacher, Brian

During this summer, let us consider and remember to love God each day. Remember love and faith are not just feelings but actions we do every day. Feel free to text, call, or email me always to share as I am here to support you and your relationship with God wherever you are on the journey. My number is (207-350-9561) if you need anything or simply want to talk. Next week, my pastoral care hours are Tues. 12-5, Wed. 11-3, Thurs. 10-2. Many blessings to you all.

Pastor’s Letter August 14, 2022

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An image of trash floating on the surface of the water.

Hello beloved, 

I hope you are all well and enjoying this much needed break – from the heat. It is almost as if – our faith – has finally been revealed. Our faith that God would end the heat. But was this due to faith or just a coincidence?  Is this new reality a change or just a shift in the natural weather patterns? All of which, I believe, are good questions to ask because they help us articulate what we believe. 

While I considered these questions, I leaned more towards the shifting weather patterns. Not because I do not believe. Not because I lack faith in God’s ability to make the world cooler, either directly or indirectly through us. She does. Rather, it is because I do not see most humans are helping Him. I do not see people doing much of anything to make the climate better. Yet is that not what God is calling us to do: to faithfully help the Mission of Christ here on earth? 

We have talked all summer about faith. Yes, have faith – pray to God when we see problems; but are we also living into that faith? Are we trying to make a difference in the world? I ask, beloved, because living out our faith is – how we love God. To explain in human terms, when someone says, “I love you” or asks you for things; yet chooses to not care about you – to hurt you – or to forget about you when they do not need anything, it does not feel like love. We know this truth and have seen it many times throughout our lives. From abusers to innocent (if not self-centered) children, we have seen this type of behavior. Sadly though, I wonder if sometimes we humans are being “the self-centered” child. 

Are we telling God thank you – I love you – please save us from the heat and then throwing trash in the water because it’s too far to walk an extra five feet to the trash can? Yes, I have witnessed people do this and then share how concerned they are with our changing climate. The truth is faith is not something that just happens in our heart and soul. Like love, faith must be shared to be revealed. It must be acted upon. It must be shown through our actions; for God to feel the truth of our love and faith. 

So yes, I lean towards the natural shift of weather patterns because the Mission of Creation is not yet being acted upon by the many hands and feet of Christ, living in this world. Maybe it is time for us to act on our faith and openly follow God’s Mission, whatever Mission which has been placed before us. Maybe we can do this together as One Fellowship of God and truly witness our faith and love of God being revealed. 

May we each act upon our Mission over the coming year and reveal our loving faith to God.

Your pastor and teacher, Brian

During summer, let us consider and remember to love God each day. Remember love and faith is not just a feeling but an action we do every day. Feel free to text, call, or email me always to share as I am here to support you and your relationship with God wherever you are on the journey. My number is (207-350-9561) if you need anything or simply want to talk. Next week, my pastoral care hours are Tues. 12-5, Wed. 11-3, Thurs. 10-2. Many blessings to you all.

Pastor’s Letter August 7, 2022

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“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 1: 3-6

An image of a Heart shaped cave with Jesus Christ on cross over a meadow in front of a sunset background.

Good morning beloved,

            I pray you are all feeling God’s Love, no matter where you are; for, you are welcomed and loved no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey. 

            I heard this prayer in my heart and realized how prudent it is for this time in which we are living. This time, though, did not begin in 2022, during Covid, or even because of the last election. It may not have even begun in our lifetimes or that of our parents. In fact, I know it did not. It began even longer ago than that, before the United States, the Reformation, and the Roman Catholic Church. The time we are living in started when Jesus was crucified and was resurrected. We are living in the Time of Loss. 

Now, beloved, this is not to say that loss did not happen before Jesus, it did. It most assuredly did. People died by the thousands in war, disease, and slavery. People died so often that it became…common. Accepted and sometimes even welcomed in the oppressive ancient world. But then Jesus came and explained that you and each one of you is important and a welcomed addition to the kin-dom. That is what changed, not the amount of people we lose but how much we love, care, and need each person who is part of our life because Jesus taught us to love. For that gift alone, I am grateful.

Yes, grateful even though the pain of losing someone is the worst I have ever felt. Even though that pain is so much greater for me when the loss is not death; but a choice to walk away. Yes, even then, I am so grateful that God taught us how to love through Jesus. 

And, I have felt this pain over and over in my life. It has happened with girlfriends and an ex-wife, my employment, my friends, my sons, my brother, and with people right here in our church community. Even though there are always reasons much like there are with death, it still hurts. It is a grief I, and all people, must accept because we love each other so deeply. Because Jesus taught us how to love each other so deeply that when that relationship ends, when it dies, the pain is almost tangible. 

That said, our love never ends. My love never does. No matter where a person roams or how long it takes, I will always love them and welcome them home into my life. Jesus may have taught us this truth as well when he taught us to forgive. Much like the Apostle Paul teaches us how to lovingly accept and work through the grief in our life. The grief which comes from this type of loss. He exemplifies this love for the lost in the words, “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.” I too thank God every time I remember all who I have lost as I hope all of you do as well.

Especially because loss has become so bitterly common today in a world which is ever changing. Who we are as a community now is so much different than who we were two years ago. And from what I understand, who we were pre-covid or who we were ten years ago. And these losses to our community, both natural and by choice, are painful. Yet it is a pain, I willingly and gratefully accept. I accept this pain because, if loss becomes commonplace, again. If it became so common that it did not hurt, then we would have forgotten the core Truth of Jesus’ teaching: Love. So, yes, I accept the grief and pain knowing that I LOVE EVERYONE OF YOU, no matter where you are in the world or in the kin-dom.

With love, I pray our loss and grief ends. We accept it if the time is not yet – right. And, Lovingly welcome – ALL PEOPLE – into our hearts – now and always,

your pastor and teacher, Brian 

During summer, let us consider and remember to love God each day. Remember love is not just a feeling but an action we do every day. Feel free to text, call, or email me always to share as I am here to support you and your relationship with God wherever you are on the journey. My number is (207-350-9561) if you need anything or simply want to talk. Next week, my pastoral care hours are Tues. 12-5, Wed. 11-3, Thurs. 10-2. Many blessings and Love to you all.