Certainly “the nations” are in need of healing. These past several months of the pandemic, weather events, social unrest, and political divisiveness have taken a tremendous toll on our lives and our world. The church is a vessel in which the “water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from God,” streams out into the world to bring healing and hope.

The logo above depicting a baptismal shell and flowing water was designed to accompany our new mission statement:

United with Christ in Baptism

Traveling the Way of Jesus

Joining God’s reign of justice and radical love for the world.

 

It invites us to center our lives and work in the waters of baptism, recognizing that we are all united in Christ, and then to travel the way, the river of Jesus’ love and compassion which leads us out into the world to love our neighbor and proclaim the gospel and work for justice and peace in our world. 

 

I am inviting you to continue this work with us by sharing your financial gifts with the synod as we look ahead to moving our mission statement from words into actions that truly bring healing. To do this, we need vital congregations connected to God, one another, and the world. We also need leaders who can engage in challenging conversations to clarify our purpose and move us forward in mission. 

Because of your generous gifts, we have been able to support this work by:

• Bringing additional part-time staff on board – Rev. Adam Wutka works with our lay ministry, raising up Parish Ministry Associates and Synod Authorized Ministers and Rev. Barb Jones manages our candidacy process raising up more ordained pastors.

• Investing in leadership development training – overseen by Rev. Dave Whetter, who along with other developers, works directly with congregation leadership through transitions, whether that is calling a new pastor or clarifying a new mission.

• Participating in Faithful Innovations – inviting congregations into cohorts to be “innovative” working with one another and coaches through listening, acting, and sharing.

• Embracing the Earth Charter Initiative as we see the need for the healing of our planet.

• Supporting the work of advocacy and justice through our Racial Justice work, Kansas Interfaith Action, and Missouri Faith Voices.

• AND supporting, encouraging, resourcing one another as together, united with Christ in baptism, we participate in God’s reign of justice.

There is still much work to be done and more healing needed as the challenges we face as the church continue. So, I am asking you to consider giving an additional gift to the work we do together. Thank you for being partners with me in this work. May the healing waters of God’s love continue to flow through us.