Beyond the Anniversary: Living Into Who We Are

Dear Partners in Ministry,

     October is a month filled with milestones and celebrations for our church community. We observe World Communion Sunday, celebrate Pastor Appreciation Month and Sunday, recognize the anniversary of my ordination, and commemorate Christ Church UCC's 134th anniversary. These moments invite us to pause, look back with wonder at the saints who have gone before us, and thank God for the ministry we share—woven together by the Spirit across generations.

     But as I sit with all these celebrations, I find myself wondering: maybe it’s a strange thing for a pastor to ask, do these anniversaries really matter in the way Jesus calls us to?

     What good is another church anniversary, another year marked on the calendar, if we aren’t living out the faith we claim in Christ? What does it mean to say we’ve been here 134 years if we aren’t opening our arms to all of God’s children and all of creation? How can we honor our story if we aren’t caring for the ministry, the resources, and the sacred trust God has placed in our hands?

     I do believe these celebrations matter, but only if they call us back to who Jesus is shaping us to be. Our history is a gift, but it can’t carry us on its own. Our theology is worth sharing, but it’s just words on a page if it doesn’t show up in our lives. Ministry is worth every bit of our support, but it takes more than good intentions to keep the Gospel alive among us.

     And when I look at our life together, I see so many reasons to thank God for the ways you welcome and include others.

     Just in the past month, I’ve heard from visitors, folks who came for worship or to grieve with loved ones, how deeply welcomed they felt here. And I want to be clear: the building didn't make the difference. It was you. It was the people of Christ Church UCC, showing Christ's love in real, tangible ways.

     When Eppie Fahigal Encabo, the National Moderator of PAAM, visited, she reminded us that people make the church. She told me how welcomed she felt among us. I told her the truth: I am blessed with a congregation that really tries to live what we say we believe. Being Open and Affirming, WISE for Mental Health, and Immigrant-Welcoming isn’t a slogan for us. It’s how we try to show God’s wide, generous love in the world.

     Another visitor, who came to stand with a grieving family, told the family and me she couldn't remember the last time she felt so welcomed in a church. Just imagine that. In her sorrow, she found a community whose warmth and hospitality stayed with her long after she left.

     These things may seem small, but they are holy. Every greeting, every time we make space for a stranger, every act of care for someone hurting these are ways we let God’s love spill out beyond our usual circles. We may never see the full ripple of a simple welcome or a quiet conversation over coffee, but those moments can be the difference between someone feeling lost and someone finding a home in Christ.

     So I want to say thank you, truly, to each of you, my partners in this ministry God has given us.

     I know I’ve asked a lot of us. I’ve nudged us to think in new ways, step out of what feels safe, look honestly at how we do ministry, and wrestle with what it means to be Christ’s church right now. Change is never easy, and neither is the holy work of building a community where everyone truly belongs.

     But look at what God has done among us! We’ve welcomed nearly 34 new members and about six children into our church family. These aren’t just numbers; they are people, each with a story, each finding something sacred here. They are new friendships, fresh faith, and new chances for us to grow together in Christ.

     Their presence is living proof of your faith in action, and the ways you let that faith shine for others to see. But welcoming is just one piece of our calling. If we want this ministry to last, we have to take stewardship just as seriously.

     Our new members notice your dedication. They see the hours you give, the work of your hands, the care you offer, and the gifts you share to keep our ministry going. They’re joining a community built by generations who knew that being the church takes both faith and commitment.

     And that kind of commitment catches on! We see it as our newer members step up, offer their time, share their gifts, and give generously to the life of our church. They’re not just joining; they’re becoming partners in ministry, helping us carry forward the work God has given us. That’s what faithful stewardship looks like: a community where everyone brings something, and everyone helps shape what comes next.

     As we step into another season of stewardship, let’s remember: our giving isn’t just about keeping the lights on or paying bills. Those things matter, but they’re not the heart of it. Our stewardship lets us worship together, care for each other, serve our neighbors, support our staff, and open our doors wide for those who haven’t yet found their way in.

     Being good stewards means being wise and careful with what God has given us. Sometimes it means making hard choices, planning ahead, and remembering that our ministry and our finances are tied together. We can’t keep widening our welcome if we don’t also tend to the work that makes that welcome real.

     And stewardship isn’t just for a handful of generous folks or a committee. It belongs to all of us. Each one of us has something to give: our money, our time, our gifts, or simply our willingness to help shape what God is doing here.

     As we celebrate 134 years, I think of those who came before us. They couldn’t have pictured every challenge we’d face, just like we can’t see what’s ahead for the next generation. Still, they handed this church to us, trusting that Jesus' ministry was worth carrying forward.

     Now it’s our turn to carry that trust.

     If Christ Church UCC is going to keep shining for another 134 years, we have to stay rooted in three things: reaching beyond our walls to serve, practicing faithful stewardship, and offering a real, unconditional welcome to every child of God.

     These aren’t extras; they’re at the heart of who we are and who God is calling us to become. And none of us can do this alone. We need each other. We carry the future of Christ’s church together.

     So this October, let’s celebrate! Let’s thank God for 134 years of Christ Church UCC, for the ministry we share, for all the people who have walked with us, and for the new faces and families who are now part of our story.

     But let’s also remember: the best way to honor our past isn’t just to count the years. It’s to keep our faith alive in the ways we welcome, serve, give, and care for each other in Jesus’ name.

     May we be remembered not just as a church that lasted 134 years, but as a church that made God’s love real and visible in the world.

With gratitude and love,

Rev. Gilbert 

Your Partner in Ministry