Pastor's Message
Reflections from Pastor Ruth
January, 2026
Dear Friends in Christ:
Recently I read a wonderful reflection on Christmas by the former archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, It is worth sharing: “At Christmas — and at all times of the year — we need reminding, believers and unbelievers alike, of what sort of difference can be made to the world because of that birth in Bethlehem. Not only can be made, but is made: whether in Congo or in the back streets of our country, plenty of people know that it's only because of those who believe the Christmas message that they have recovered hope for their lives. And the message is that God has told us he is not going to give up on us: he appears to us in the life of Jesus, a life of complete identification with human suffering and need. And he makes it possible for us to identify in the same way with those who suffer and live in hopelessness and need. He makes it possible not to give up, even where there seems least chance of change."
As I write this, I am still in the midst of Advent celebrations, but I look forward to that time when we will be able to Celebrate together the Birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It has been an amazing time with great fellowship, welcoming new people to our community, reconnecting with those whom we haven’t seen in awhile, and watching our youngest (and young at heart) marvel at the Christmas message in our “first in many years” Christmas Program. What a joy to witness!!
And for all those who have struggled with grief, anxiety, personal and family difficulties, these words of hope that ring out on Christmas Day: remind us, as Archbishop Canterbury Rowan Williams said, God “makes it possible not to give us”.
I am grateful that our Christmas Season lasts into January, so that even when the world has rushed on to newer distractions, we as Christians can continue to reflect and bask in the glow of God with us, Emmanuel.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Pastor Ruth
Dear Friends in Christ:
Recently I read a wonderful reflection on Christmas by the former archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, It is worth sharing: “At Christmas — and at all times of the year — we need reminding, believers and unbelievers alike, of what sort of difference can be made to the world because of that birth in Bethlehem. Not only can be made, but is made: whether in Congo or in the back streets of our country, plenty of people know that it's only because of those who believe the Christmas message that they have recovered hope for their lives. And the message is that God has told us he is not going to give up on us: he appears to us in the life of Jesus, a life of complete identification with human suffering and need. And he makes it possible for us to identify in the same way with those who suffer and live in hopelessness and need. He makes it possible not to give up, even where there seems least chance of change."
As I write this, I am still in the midst of Advent celebrations, but I look forward to that time when we will be able to Celebrate together the Birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It has been an amazing time with great fellowship, welcoming new people to our community, reconnecting with those whom we haven’t seen in awhile, and watching our youngest (and young at heart) marvel at the Christmas message in our “first in many years” Christmas Program. What a joy to witness!!
And for all those who have struggled with grief, anxiety, personal and family difficulties, these words of hope that ring out on Christmas Day: remind us, as Archbishop Canterbury Rowan Williams said, God “makes it possible not to give us”.
I am grateful that our Christmas Season lasts into January, so that even when the world has rushed on to newer distractions, we as Christians can continue to reflect and bask in the glow of God with us, Emmanuel.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Pastor Ruth
