12 March 2021

Dearly Beloved,

When I came to United Christian Church, my title was “Full-Time Mom.” I was ordained, but not interested in pastoring at the time. When UCC needed a choir director, however, something within me ignited - I guess you could say it was a calling. I had a degree in music, but very little experience in choral directing. But you had faith in me -- you believed that I could do it. And so I offered to step in until someone permanent was found…

Then when Rev. John moved back to New England, there was to be a gap before we could find an Interim Minister. We needed someone to fill the pulpit, so again, the need was presented, and something ignited. Rev. Nikki and I decided to take on the task as a team! You believed in us, and so we accepted the call together…

I never thought a year ago I would find myself here. God leads us down winding and surprising paths. But again, the need has been presented, something within me has ignited, and your belief in me has spurred me on.

The grief of this year has been great, but truly, my hopes are still high. Why? Because I have seen God alive and well at UCC in...

• The interactive Time for Children before worship and your prayers shared out loud afterwards during our Joys and Concerns Coffee Hour - these times of fellowship make my cup overflow!
• The discussion these past Sunday at our Worship Team Session about Outdoor Worship -- just the thought of seeing you - even masked, 6 feet away, and outdoors - keeps me going! 
• Meghan and our youth, who have been hard at work making kits for the homeless and cleaning up our outdoor sanctuary!
• Our Social Justice team, who have been fundraising and marching to end hunger and poverty through CROP walk -- raising more than double our goal this year and finishing in the top 50 teams in the nation! 
• Emily and her team, who have already begun preparations for our children’s Vacation Bible School... 
• YOU, dearly beloved, who have shown such an outpouring of care, consideration, and support these past weeks that it has felt like a barn-raising! This is not a common response in churches during times of such extreme stress, sustained transition, and change, but then again, YOU are not a common people! Your kindness and generosity, especially in hard times, is truly inspiring!

So friends, I promise to do my best with whatever time God gives us together. I promise to do my best at exactly what I tell my children to do each morning when I drop them off at school:
                                                                                     “Have courage and be kind.” 

Having courage means that we do not always do the easy thing. Having courage means we speak Truth, even when it’s hard. Above all, it means we strive always to be kind - to live by Christ’s commandment to love one another as Christ loves us.

Praying for you always,
Rev. Anna