By The Rev. Janna Preston

“I am the Church.  You are the Church.  We are the Church together.  All who follow Jesus all around the world, YES!! We’re the Church together.  The Church is not a building.  The Church is not a steeple.  The Church is not a resting place.  The Church is a people!  I am the Church.  You are the Church.  We are the Church together.  All who follow Jesus all around the world, YES!! We’re the Church together.  We’re many kinds of people, with many kinds of faces, all colors and all ages, from all times and places. That is an Avery and Marsh chorus I learned as a youth.  It has been beautiful to see the Church in action this week – different congregations working together to spread God’s love throughout our community, different groups within this congregation working to feed people, different groups in the congregation offering comfort and hope to those who are broken-hearted. They are beautiful scenarios to see, and beautiful in which to participate with you.  I have a feeling God is as pleased to see people working out their faith, as it was when Jesus saw the Caananite woman continue to advocate for her daughter who had a demon, showing faith, and in response saying, “Great is your faith!”  I am so thankful you all are one of my steppingstones in my faith journey.  Thank you.

Blessings and peace,

Janna