Pastor's Corner

“There is one body and one Spirit... one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.” - Ephesians 4:4-6

Recently, I had the joy of spending a couple of hours with my granddaughter. We played on the floor, laughed, hugged, and eventually took a nap together. As I watched her, I realized something beautiful: she wasn’t trying to impress anyone, she wasn’t worried about her accomplishments, and she wasn’t comparing herself to others. She simply enjoyed being loved. It struck me that this is how God invites us to live. As adults, we spend so much energy proving ourselves—trying to be successful, respected, or accomplished enough. Yet, we are reminded that before God, our worth does not come from what we achieve, but from God’s grace. My granddaughter did nothing to earn my love; she simply received it. The same is true for us. God’s love is not a reward, it is a gift. Faith begins when we stop trying to prove ourselves and simply trust that we are already loved by God.

This deep sense of secure love is the exact foundation that allows us to reach out and connect with one another.

We saw a beautiful reflection of this just a few weeks ago, on June 7th, when the congregations of St. Paul’s UMC and the UMC at West Union gathered for worship. We came from different backgrounds, walked different paths, and sang in different styles.

Yet, as we worshiped, prayed, and shared Holy Communion, we witnessed a deeper truth: our unity is not found in sharing the exact same thoughts, but in Jesus Christ.

The early church was also a diverse community of different traditions and nations, held together not by their similarities, but by their shared faith in the risen Lord. In a world that so often emphasizes our differences, the church bears witness to a greater reality. Through Christ, we become one family where we can listen with humility, love generously, and wonder together whose unique story of grace we might learn from next.

As you begin this new week with new pastoral leadership, I encourage you to carry this spirit of worship forward. Remember the freedom of a child resting securely in loving arms, and let that love keep you one with Jesus, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world.

Serving as your pastor has been an incredible blessing, and as I step into retirement on June 30th, I do so with a heart full of gratitude for the love and unity we have shared.

You do not have to earn God’s love—you already have it. May you continue to rest in that promise, care beautifully for one another, and always remember how deeply you are loved.