A note from Pastor Travis 12/31/20

Dear FUMC Family and Friends,
 When I was a teenager, a friend of mine, John, and I were together on New Year’s Eve. It had been a difficult year for him. He had lost both his mother and grandfather. It was almost midnight and we were getting ready to welcome the new year. He looked at me and said, “I am ready this year to be over. I need a fresh start.” 

As we looked forward to 2021, I imagine many of us feel like John did. We are ready to turn to a new page on our calendars and get a fresh start. Yet, the world doesn’t work that way, does it? COVID-19 will not magically go away when the new year begins. Our grief and pain will be carried over into 2021. It can be discouraging. However, a new year can be an opportunity to gain a new perspective. We can pause and give thanks for the blessings of the past year. It has been difficult, but we have gotten through it. We have found strength in our spirits, felt the care of family and friends, and have experienced the presence of God. 

A new year can remind us that there is hope on the horizon. The long night of 2020 will give way to the dawn of healing. The burden of the grief we carry will be shared by God as we move forward. The day will come, and is drawing closer, when we will be able to gather with family and friends again. The day is coming when we will be able to gather for worship and give thanks to God. It will be a day of celebration when we give thanks for God’s faithfulness. It will be a day of joy, for we will no longer take the simple blessings of life for granted. That day is coming. Hold on. Until it arrives, we will lean on each other and on God. Then, when that day arrives, we will have a party!

I talked to John the other day. He is doing well. He still misses his mom and grandfather, and he wishes they could see his kids. But, he is happy. He made it through the hard days of 1986 and has felt blessed.

We will make it through these hard days too. Have hope, a new day is coming.
Peace and Grace,
Pastor Travis