From Pastor Adam

Grace and peace to you from our Lord Jesus Christ,

This month has been a deeply personal one for me. My father passed away after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. His final days were spent at home in Florida, surrounded by family, exactly as he wished. The last years of his life were difficult. Parkinson’s gradually stole the things that had made him the man we loved—working with technology, the card games he played his whole life, even the small freedoms of daily life. The disease brought hallucinations, paranoia, and confusion. 

And yet, in the midst of that struggle, there were moments of grace. When my brother and I entered his hospital room, his eyes lit up. When we played hymns, he mouthed the words, connecting to the music that had shaped him for a lifetime. Even in his frailty, he never lost sight of where he wanted to be. His last, raspy words were simple and profound: “home.” He is now safely home—not in Milwaukee, not in Minnesota, not in the Florida house where he spent the last decade, but in the arms of his Savior.

As I reflect on this, I am grateful for this congregation and the journey we share together. Just as my father longed for home, we long for the fullness of God’s kingdom, where we are known and loved completely. Just as my family cared for him in his final days, our congregation cares for one another as the body of Christ, offering presence, compassion, and support. It is a truly beautiful thing to behold.

As we move into the fall, the church is also moving into a season of transition. The rhythms of summer give way to autumn, and soon, Advent will beckon us toward anticipation and hope. In this season, we are reminded that God’s promises are sure, even when life is difficult or uncertain. The God who welcomed my father home promises to welcome each of us, offering rest, peace, and joy beyond measure.

May we, as a community, hold one another with care, even in the challenging seasons of life. May we find hope in the familiar rhythms of worship, the comforting words of Scripture, and the promise that, ultimately, we are all held in God’s loving arms. And as the leaves turn and the days grow shorter, may we be reminded that even in endings, there is the promise of hope and home.

With gratitude and love,
Pastor Adam Dowd