Dear Lord of Life,
As we stand on the other side of the Annual Church Meeting, I am filled with gratitude and hope for what lies ahead. The year 2023 brought us moments of growth, resilience, and unity, and I believe that 2024 holds the promise of even greater blessings and opportunities for our community.
I want to take this moment to share with you the vision that has been placed on my heart for Lord of Life in the coming year. I’m not sure I was able to communicate it as clearly as I had hoped at the annual meeting. It is a vision of a church that goes beyond being just a place of worship; it is a place we call home.
Lord of Life is not just a church. It’s a place we call home.
These words embody the essence of our vision. In 2024, we want to strengthen the sense of belonging and connection within our congregation. We want every member, every visitor, every person who walks through our doors to feel that they have found a home within our church community.
Lord of Life welcomes individuals from diverse backgrounds and beliefs, fostering an environment where we openly explore profound questions about faith and existence.
Our church is not exclusive; it is inclusive. It is a place where people from all walks of life, with different backgrounds and beliefs, are not only welcomed but celebrated. We recognize that each person's faith journey is unique, and we are committed to creating an environment where questions are encouraged, where doubts are met with understanding, and where diversity is embraced.
While we acknowledge that we don't possess all the solutions, we firmly believe that God's presence is felt when we collectively engage with these questions within our community.
We do not claim to have all the answers, for we are fellow travelers on the path of faith. Yet, we firmly believe that God's presence is most palpable when we come together as a community to grapple with life's profound questions. It is in our shared exploration that we discover new insights, deeper connections, and a richer understanding of our faith.
Our congregation is a home for individuals who have been lifelong Lutherans and for those who approach faith with skepticism.
Our church is a home for everyone, whether you have been a lifelong Lutheran or are stepping into a church for the first time. It is a place where your questions are met with respect and where your doubts are embraced as part of your faith journey. We believe that faith is not about having all the answers but about seeking God's presence in our lives.
It's a place for those who hold a deep affinity for traditional church practices and for those who maintain complex relationships with institutional religion.
For those who find comfort and meaning in traditional church practices, you will find a home here. And for those who have complex relationships with institutional religion, you will find understanding and acceptance. Our church is a place where tradition and innovation can coexist, where we honor the beauty of our heritage while embracing the call to adapt and grow.
We also extend our embrace to individuals from different religious backgrounds and those who have never had a religious upbringing.
Our doors are open to all, regardless of your religious background or whether you have never encountered faith before. We invite you to explore, question, and journey with us as we seek to understand what it truly means to follow the teachings of Jesus.
Together, we are on a collective journey to understand what it truly means to follow the teachings of Jesus in a world that is both fractured and magnificent.
As we embark on this journey together, let us remember that we are not alone. We have each other, and we have the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Our collective exploration of faith will lead us to a deeper understanding of God's love and grace, and it will empower us to make a positive impact on our fractured yet magnificent world.
We wholeheartedly invite you to join us on this shared journey of faith.
In 2024, let us be a community that continues to grow, that fosters compassion, and that deepens our connection with one another and with God. Together, we will make our church a place where all can find a home, where questions are welcomed, and where faith is a journey we undertake side by side.
I look forward to walking this path with you, dear members and friends. May this new year be filled with blessings, discoveries, and a deepening of our faith.
With love and gratitude,
Pastor Adam