It’s a… Boy? Girl? Soon we will find out! The day is quickly approaching when we will be welcoming a new member into our family. Todd and I have prayed and tried for four and a half years for this. If you have ever been in the boat of unexplained infertility, you know the heartache that comes with so many monthly let-downs. You might also know the perseverance that is built, the intimacy that is experienced, and the deeper faith that wins out at the end of the day. So many have prayed with us, for us, and supported us through it all. We thank you, our new church family, for the ways you have already poured on the prayers and support during this time. Our new baby is starting off well supplied for thanks to your generosity at the baby shower and beyond!

This season also brings us to a small shift in the life of our church. As soon as the baby comes, I will be taking maternity leave for 12 weeks. However, you will not be left alone. If there is something I have learned in my short time with you all, it is that Sewickley UMC is full of empowered leaders who have stepped boldly into their calling within the life of the church. Do not hesitate to lean on one another. In addition to the leaders within the church, Reverend Beth Nelson, who is a newly retired ordained clergy member from our conference, has agreed to serve Sewickley while I am on maternity leave. She will coordinate the worship services, lead a Bible study, be available for pastoral care, and work with Pam on whatever needs may arise during my absence. As soon as my maternity leave begins, you can contact her via her email address at bethlnelson1@gmail.com. She can also be reached on her cell phone at 412-398-7894. I am confident you all are in good and faithful hands!

During my maternity leave, there are a couple of exciting options to help us stay connected to one another. The growth of our faith should never be on pause. No matter what circumstances we find ourselves in, we should not stop actively pursuing a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. It is this pursuit that will help us through anything. We are like electronics. In order for us to do what we were created to do, we must stay plugged in to our power source. God is our source of power and our source of life. Let’s stay connected!

The education committee has been working hard on making sure there are ways you can do that this fall regardless of if we are in-person or not. Stay tuned for a catalogue of groups that are being offered to help you continue on your journey. This catalogue will be posted on the website, on our Facebook page, and sent out in an email blast from the church. In the catalogue, you will find a list of days and times that different Bible/book studies will be held. These studies will begin in October and be held via Zoom or another online platform. We will be offering a variety of topics led by different leaders. Again, I want to encourage you to not become stagnant in your faith, but to stay connected!

Lastly, I want to invite you to journey with me through the Bible. I believe group studies are essential in the growth of our faith and in deepening our understanding of the Word. However, I also believe it is essential that we read the Bible for ourselves. Included in the newsletter on page 6, you will find a 52-week Bible reading plan. I know that sometimes reading the Bible in a year can be a very daunting task to take on. This particular Bible reading plan I find to be the easiest to manage. It offers a variety of different readings for the week and in manageable sizes. I will be sending out a weekly devotional based upon something that I found inspiring from the readings. These devotionals will begin 4 weeks after I begin my maternity leave. Truthfully, here is the thing about reading the Bible in a year: I would prefer you stayed with it instead of worrying about finishing it. If you get behind in a week, give yourself grace. You can pick up where you left off or just scratch those days out and move on. How much you read and what you read is still within your control. Just stay connected!

From one light to another,
Pastor Hannah Loughman

Photo by Julija Rauluševičiūtė