Pastor's Corner - Cornerstone Newsletter
This article was submitted by Pastor Steve to the Cornerstone Newsletter for February.
In an attempt to become clear about who we are, I wrote the following statement and shared it with you last Sunday (Jan. 25). There are copies available around the church for you to take. Hopefully this will help you to share with others who we are and what we are about.
Who We Are
Cornerstone Community UMC is engaged in a mission to enrich and transform lives through the life and teachings of Jesus and to build a community of love and service by the way we care for each other --- offer hospitality to everyone who comes through our doors --- and by joining with other groups and churches in the area to serve and assist the most vulnerable members of Placer County.
We value tolerance, diversity, open mindedness, and a faith that actively explores and applies the teachings of Jesus to life today. We embrace our denomination's slogan of OPEN HEARTS - OPEN MINDS - OPEN DOORS - as we are striving to practice an open and inclusive Christianity that is far more interested in compassion than purity. Of special concern to us are those who have been hurt or excluded by the Church in the past. As the Jesus of history did not exclude anyone from being in relationship with him, it is our desire to include all who wish to be a part of this community who gathers in his name.
We do not presume to tell people what to think or believe. Ours is a community of free inquiry. We explore together our faith document, the Bible, and the Tradition that has been handed down to us, using our Reason along with personal Experience to determine what we believe and how we will act. There is room within this spiritual community for a wide variety of viewpoints on faith and life. Indeed, we believe that we are enriched by this variety.
God focused and Spirit led on the path of Jesus is what we want to be about. Whoever you are, wherever you are on the journey of faith --- you are welcome here.
Last Sunday we put out copies of the Report of the Vision Team. Every copy was taken. That's great! We will make sure that more of these are on tables around the church for you to take. I encourage you to read this carefully. The demographics are particularly interesting and will help you to understand the directions that your Church Board is leading in. Input and communication are very important. This year's Church Board is:
- Linda West
- Susan Rold
- Linda Logie
- Ron Garrison
- Alistair Logie
- Carrie Williamson
- Joanne Griffith
- Chuck Williamson (chair)
- Dave Griffith
- Joe Moore
- Elaine Webb
- Patti Hartman
- Jenine Brothers
- Greg Rold
Finally, I want to ask for your prayers. Would you pray for our church daily? Pray for our mission of enriching lives and building community. Pray for our members - seniors, children, youth, young families, leaders, etc. Pray that we will be attentive to the spirit's leading and bold enough to step out in faith and seize the opportunities before us. Pray that we will pay attention to "the fierce urgency of now."
Shalom,
Steve
