Pastor Heidi and our terrific Church Staff Members have been through huge challenges this year. Their time, attention and hearts have been pulled in so many directions with the Holy Season of Lent, Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Baptisms, Confirmation Class, Bible Studies, and the deaths of 14 people who call our church home in the last 12 months, including Jen Spieth and Dana Schwendeman this past month. Their hearts and our hearts are encouraged by Christ’s resurrection, but deeply saddened for the many losses that our Church Family has experienced.

Yet our Congregation is uplifted by so many people from our Church Family willingly stepping forward in these times, volunteering on short notice, doing tasks without being asked, serving and supporting, comforting and caring. Our Church Family are humble people of action, embracing those who are hurting, and expressing God’s unconditional Love as we care for each other.

Just as we all experience grief differently, so do each of the family members of the precious souls who have passed in recent years, as well as Pastor Heidi and our Staff Members. We ask that you allow them room for God’s grace. Give each of them time for themselves to grieve, and be there to listen. Yet be ready to help them any way you can now, and far into the future.

We exhibit that we are a loving Church Family by our prayers, our patience and our actions. Let us all be intentional in surrounding each of these persons with our love and care. As in the past, and far into the future, our care and support will show that the Lamb of God acts through each and every one of us.

Blessings to you, Alan Scheufler, Leadership Board Chair