From the Desk of the Senior Pastor

Kia ora! This is a common greeting in New Zealand where my daughter is living right now. It is a common way to say “hello”. But the literal meaning of it is more like “be well”, “be healthy”, or “have life”. In that sense, every greeting is in some way a blessing on another person, wishing them life and good health. When I visited there this past summer, the people there made a very positive impression on me. They lived up to the ideals of their greeting in many ways. My family and I felt welcomed. We generally felt like people cared about our welfare. It didn’t feel like a surface politeness, but more like kindness.

I have to say that, in many ways, I have similar feelings about Advent. My first year here has flown by very quickly (can it really be a year already!?!). During that year, the welcoming spirit of the members of Advent has been refreshing and uplifting. I have felt, not just a politeness, but a genuine caring spirit from many of you. It is as if you have imparted a blessing to me (“Kia ora!” or maybe the Hebrew “Shalom!”).

But, the great thing about Advent is not just how so many of you have welcomed me and my family and shown such kindness and support to us. It is that all of you are working to do so much good in this community and beyond. I have been so impressed and so proud to be a part of the multitude of ministries that you do. Not only do I get to worship each Sunday with a caring community… Not only do I get to teach and preach and serve as your pastor… Not only do I get to work with such a great associate pastor and such a talented staff… Not only do I get to work with such a great and dedicated group of leaders and volunteers… Not only do I get to participate in the amazing outreach programs that this congregation supports… Not only… Not only… It seems like practically every week has brought something new to my attention that this congregation is doing to help and support others who are in need.

I hope all of you know that Advent is collectively setting a great example of following Jesus Christ who blesses us and who brings us life for today and for eternity. As I say that, understand that I am not saying that we do not face challenges as a church. We do. We still face a gap between our expenses and our income. We still need to work at getting better at some of the things that we do. But, I believe; I have faith that God will continue to lead us forward in new and creative ways so that we can be the church God is calling us to be today and in the future.

As we go into these winter months and begin our second year of ministry together, I think these words from St. Paul summarize what I want to say: “I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind – so that you are not lacking in any gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you
to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the partnership of his Son, Jesus
Christ our Lord.”

Kia ora! Shalom! Grace and peace be with you all! Amen.