Each anniversary serves as a reminder of where we have been and what we have done.  I can look back with joy, as I consider the challenges we have faced together, the progress we have made, and the lasting friendships we have built.  We have shared laughter and tears.  We have celebrated the gift of life – the birth of children and the rebirth of believers.  We have mourned the loss of those we love – dear friends and family members, who have claimed their eternal reward and are now living in the presence of God.  We have prayed together and played together and shared our faith together.  What a privilege to serve as your pastor!  I am humbled and honored each time I am invited to represent Jesus Christ in your midst.

An anniversary is also a time to look forward.  I am excited about the blessings God has in store for us, as we strive to love and serve Jesus Christ together.  Brad Kirk, our new Associate Pastor, will join us this month.  God has been at work in Brad’s life since the days of his youth, equipping him for ministry.  I know you will welcome Brad with the same love with which you embraced Debbie and me when we arrived in Garden City.  I know you will enjoy getting to know Brad.  I am anxious to discover how God will use Brad’s gifts to enhance our ministry.

An anniversary challenges us to re-evaluate our ministry – to think about God’s call in our lives and God’s purpose for our future.  We need to think about our mission.  The mission of the United Methodist Church is to make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.  As a congregation we claim to be the Hands of Jesus Christ.  Periodically, we need to stop and think about that, to ask ourselves how we are doing, and to make plans for the future.  On August 20^th we have scheduled an overnight planning retreat at Camp Lakeside.  We are inviting members of the Church Council to participate.  We want to extend the invitation to everyone who wants to help shape the vision for our future.  Please put this date on your calendar and contact the church office if you wish to participate.

Whether or not you choose to attend the planning retreat, we need your prayers and your ideas.  I am looking forward to the great things God has in store for us as we continue to journey together in faith.  I believe God has prepared us uniquely to share Jesus Christ and to serve Jesus Christ in Garden City.  We want to do that to the best of our ability.

Recently I read an article by Bishop Robert Schnase, who serves in Missouri.  One sentence really grabbed my attention.  He wrote: “We can’t expect someone else to solve our problems, and we can’t keep asking God to do for us what God created us to do for God.”  As Maxie Dunnam is fond of saying, “That is a mouthful and a mindful!”  I believe that is a question we need to wrestle with as we look to the future.  “What has God created us to do for God?”  Will you join me in prayer about this and think about attending our retreat in August?

This is an exciting time to be in ministry and I am thrilled that God has called us to serve with you in Garden City.  I pray that we will continue to be open to God’s leading as we move forward together.

Grace and Peace,

David
david@fumcgc.com