New Birth – New Life

As Easter fades from memory and summer comes into view, we are not only preparing for Pentecost, but confirmation and preparations for the fall. And, in another month, Annual Conference will be taking place, in Harrisonburg this year. As I think about these things, I am struck by the fact that all of these things will involve our young people, especially confirmation and Annual Conference.

Speaking of confirmation, I need to let you know that I have been more impressed by our current confirmands, Domingo, Dallas, and Parker, than I have been by any other group I’ve led, except perhaps when I did confirmation with my son anddaughter! They have been engaged, interested, and thoughtful, from our teaching sessions, to mentor meetings, to our field trip. I don’t expect confirmands to have all the answers, but I am pleased that they show up, put their thoughts in, and are invested.

Speaking of Annual Conference, we will once again have several youth who are going to conference this year. Larissa and the youth have been providing leadership across the Conference in the past few years, not only at the annual conference youth delegation, but also for the conference retreats. And this doesn’t note the fact that our second service every Sunday relies on our youth to make it happen.

Speaking of our younger folks, I also consider just how much our older members provide – dealing with the legal issues, fixing things when they break, providing the administrative and supporting backbone to make us work. Our older folk are the leadership that keeps us running day to day, week to week. If our young people give us reason to hope and feel good for our present and our future, our older members have kept the flame of faith alive and well for generations.

What is in store for the future?

It always comes back to asking where we came from – our Lord, our faith, our people. Without Jesus’ death and resurrection, we would not be here at all. Without our faith, we are just another group of people doing good in the community – not a bad thing, but not why we exist. But without our people, we aren’t able to accomplish anything. Jesus told us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. That means, digging into our past shows the future – building relationships with each other, the community, and our Lord.

In short, this is my request: That we get to know each other. That we form friendships across generations. That we take some time to grow closer to the people we see in the pews, in the hallways, and in the parking lot – because God is giving us new birth and new life right where we are!

It is my joy to praise God alongside you!