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“Because of the Holy One’s great love we are not consumed,
for God’s mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.”
— Lamentations 3:22–23

As we begin a new year, January invites us to pause—not to judge ourselves too harshly for what we did or did not do last year. Instead, take a deep breath, dust yourselves off, and begin again.

Turning the calendar does not erase our challenges, nor does it make us better overnight. Yet, in this simple act, grace appears: we are given another chance to try, to grow, and to live into whom God calls us to be—individually and together.

Recently, Rev. Linda Thurston shared a passage from historic church records she has been reading as part of Trinity Lutheran ELCA’s preparations for its upcoming 100th anniversary. The notice is significant because it mentions Christ Evangelical and Reformed Church, the earlier name for what is now Christ Church United Church of Christ. The notice reads:

“A Christmas party will be held for the Spanish-speaking Americans this Sunday, December 5, from 3 to 5:15 p.m. at the Christ Evangelical and Reformed Church, Cora and Henry Streets. Those attending are asked to bring wrapped gifts for the children and indicate whether the gift is for a boy or girl and their age. Everyone is welcome.” (1965)

Those words matter. They mattered then, and they matter now.

That brief announcement reminds us: welcome is not a modern trend or just a convenient slogan. It forms part of our spiritual DNA. Decades before diversity statements and mission tags, members of this community made space for newcomers. Doors opened, food was shared, gifts exchanged, and all tried—imperfectly but faithfully—to reflect the expansive love of God.

This past October, we celebrated 133 years of ministry—years marked by change, growth, learning, and recommitment. Our name has changed. Our language has evolved. Our understanding has deepened. Yet, the heart of who we are remains rooted in that same call to open doors wide.

Today, we often give voice to that calling with the words: "No matter who you are or where you are in life’s journey, you are welcome here." This is not new theology for us. It is an echo—clearer and more explicit—of a welcome that has been practiced here for generations.

Hope, then, is not about getting everything right. To have hope is to choose to begin again; it is to trust that God is still at work among us—shaping, stretching, forgiving, and renewing. When we fall short, grace invites us to stand up once more.

As we step into 2026, may we do so with humility and courage. May we strive to improve and remain a community where welcome is lived, not just spoken.

 

Grace and peace in the new year.

Rev. Gilbert