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Summer is in full swing. Festivals, outdoor concerts, camps, gardening, golfing, fishing,  vacations and just simply relaxing. Sabbath rest is so important. We need to recharge and soak  up the sun and warmer weather after the cold gray winter and rainy spring. During July and  August, we experience the glory of God’s creation which feeds our souls.         

In the church, summer often means lower attendance and decreased giving. But, Faith UMC is going strong! I have been delighted that the “Revival” class which started right after Memorial Day has had 15-20 people participating! We have lots of fellowship opportunities over the next month, the chance to share our musical talents in worship, there’s family camp and other opportunities for learning. Stay engaged! It will make summer even more joyful, I promise.

I hope you will be in worship as much as you can. We begin a series on Baptism July 12th and following that series, we will have one focused on Holy Communion. These two series will take us through the summer, allowing us to look deeply at these two sacraments, which are, according to John Wesley, “means of grace.” We experience God’s prevenient, justifying and sanctifying grace through the sacraments as well as through our individual and corporate spiritual disciplines. What amazing gifts!  

This month we also celebrate 250 years of our nation. We find ourselves in trying times. However, God calls us to continue to seek justice, love kindness and walk humbly with him. (Micah 6:8) I came across this quote and find it particularly helpful as we continue to live as Christ’s disciples and put him first:  

Durable hope does not ask you to pretend the wounds of the world are not real. It looks directly at what is broken and refuses to let brokenness have the final word. It is what people have always reached for during the times that tried their souls, believing that what they did would matter, someday, and that none of their work for liberty would be lost. A hard time is not the same as a hopeless time. You were given a life in a moment in history that needs witnesses, builders, repairers, and truth-tellers. Be one of them. I’ll be here cheering you on.  (Sharon McMahon,“My Message to the Graduates of 2026,” Instagram, April 29, 2026)  

Keep the faith! Live in hope! Connect with others! Enjoy God’s creation! Come to worship! And live your best lives as Jesus’ disciples!

Grace and Peace,  

Pastor Jenny