A Message from Pastor Stephen
“In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your children shall prophesy, and your youth shall see visions, and your elders shall dream dreams.” (Acts 2:17)
Dear friends,
I want to invite you to dream.
New things are happening all around at Incarnation right now:
- We’re enjoying new opportunities to grow in faith: Godly Play for our children, Youth Group for middle and high schoolers, and Sunday Forum for adults.
- We’re preparing to launch an exciting new season in our music ministries as we welcome Jun Kim as our new Director of Music.
- We’re interviewing for a part-time Pastoral Care Coordinator to help us nourish the bonds among us and care for those in our congregation who are in need.
- We’re dreaming about the future of our campus through our congregational conversation process, Imagine Incarnation.
- We’re preparing to celebrate our church’s 150th anniversary in 2023.
After two years of severely restricted activities, signs of new life are everywhere. Many of us are taking delight in the sheer joy of being together again in the flesh. Yet we’re also carrying with us the lessons we’ve learned through the pandemic about reaching out to those who can’t be with us in person and finding ways to make our liturgies and events available at a distance. And we are carrying with us the grief of so much that has been lost and a world coping with crisis and trauma.
Our call to be Jesus Christ’s hands and heart in the world never changes. Yet how we live out that call is always new. Today, as we look ahead to 2023, what dreams do you have for Incarnation? How do you imagine God calling us to ministry in this time of growth and opportunities?
You can help us answer God’s call by making a pledge to support Incarnation financially in 2023. Giving is a basic Christian spiritual practice. It’s spiritually transformative, and it’s fun. Please join me in prayerfully reflecting on what percentage of your income you currently give away, and what percentage you might be able to grow to in the year ahead. Then make your pledge, whether online or by filling out a pledge card. By making a pledge, you’re committing to be a part of what God is doing here at Incarnation as we share the radical welcome of Jesus Christ.
I also hope you’ll plan to join us for two special events this year. First, on Sunday, November 6, All Saints’ Sunday, we’ll have a special Parish Lunch and Town Hall from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Farlander Hall. Join us for food, fellowship, and a chance to learn about our budget and ministries for 2023.
Then, on Sunday, December 2, join us to celebrate both the completion of our pledge campaign and the 25th anniversary of the dedication of our Casavant organ with an Organ Recital and Evensong at 5:00 p.m., followed by a reception in Farlander Hall. This will also be a special opportunity to celebrate Jun’s new ministry among us.
This fall I pray we will dare to dream big dreams for Incarnation. I know the Holy Spirit is at work in our life together and I can’t wait to see where God will lead us next.
In Christ’s love,Stephen+
