July 2025

Well, summer is here! There will be trips, vacations, baseball and other activities that will tempt you and we want you to spend that quality time with family, friends and nature. But we also need you to remember that while you are enjoying to moments away, we are still here offering ministry to the folk around us. So, if you could, when you are going away for a while, consider mailing your contribution to keep the lights on, the microphone working and people here to offer help in times of need.

Bible Studies have ended, but will be starting in September, so keep an eye open to what is being offered so you can learn more about our faith and our sacred texts. Gordon is a marvelously dedicated leader for the Wednesday night Zoom Bible Study. The Union Grove In-Person Bible study will be considering topics for the fall. If you have a thought, let us know, please!

I would also like you to remember that we are called to live our faith with courage, even in the face of power that disagrees with our faith. I'm not expecting to see you on the news being led away in cuffs, but I certainly hope that if you meet injustice, with the help of the Spirit, you will be a witness to the love and grace of Jesus. As someone said recently with regard to what I've just mentioned, Jesus was politically active, confronted unjust leaders and bucked tradition to show folk how God wanted us to live. And I'll remind you that those humanly-weak disciples of Jesus' ministry, after Pentecost, became lions of faith! They challenged opponents to fly in the face of God's call on their lives and accepted the consequences of their actions. My hope is that we can each develop a faith as strong for the facing of the challenges of our own time.

Enjoy the summer! Spend a little time just revelling in the wonder of the Temple God put in place around us! And we'd love to see you whenever you can during the summer months. Peace, love and grace to you all!

-Rev. Howard Hunt