Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

Change is hard. There seems to be a lot of it going on right now in the life of our church. We are preparing to make a major shift from a Legacy Model of administration that has worked for almost 55 years to a Leadership Board model that is just a baby in comparison.

We are preparing to say goodbye to our ever-faithful Administrative Assistant, Pam Honeychurch. She has been with us for 11½ years and is heading on to a full-time position at the conference center. Though, we are so grateful she will still be a member of our church family and continue in her faithful leadership through Treasurer and other ways.

We are saying our goodbyes to Lauren Lang as she moves across the country and blesses another community as she has us. She stepped into our tech needs and stepped into our hearts. We will miss her.

We have said goodbye to our wonderful Nursery Care Worker, Laura Honeychurch and have missed her dependable and enthusiastic care of our children.

We have said goodbye to Lou Ann Scott as she moved into a new season of life and happy retirement. This will be our first Pumpkin Patch season without her, as well as our first Bell Ringing season without her.

The soup sales will not begin anew this coming season, and many are still lamenting the passing of the luncheons.

Change is hard. But when that change has come about due to the faithful discernment of those who are committed to serving the Lord, we can be assured there are good things waiting for us.

Soon we will affirm 9 faithful and committed followers of Jesus Christ who have said yes to helping us successfully usher in the new Leadership Board model. Soon we will get to greet and appreciate the skills and talents that Elizabeth, our new Administrative Assistant, will bring to the life of our church. Soon our young kids will fall in love with Shayla, our new nursery attendant, as she cares for them with fresh energy and grace. Soon the pumpkins will arrive; Diane Bartley and friends will continue to make the “gourd times” roll! Soon, many people who pour onto the lawn for those pumpkins will be greeted with kindness and shown the love of Jesus. Soon our halls and loft will be filled with kids who are excited about connecting with each other and learning about the love of Jesus. Soon, 14-year-old Ben Ward and his mom, Amanda Pelphrey, will be baptized together as we get to surround, support, and love them on the journey ahead. Soon, 10 persons who are excited about serving the Lord: Mary, Sel, Ryan, Amanda, Charlie, Kerry, Michael, Patti, Breonna, and Nicole, will make the choice to live out their discipleship as members of Sewickley United Methodist Church. Two others, Kelly and Bill, have recently made that same commitment by way of transferring their membership to Sewickley UMC. Soon, 3 little girls, Stella, Maya, and Jordyn, will get a new Bible placed into their hands, and a whole world of possibilities full of the great love of God will be opened to them.

Change is hard. But God’s ways are good. It is in God’s hands we commit our future. Amen!

From one light to another,
Pastor Hannah Loughman