Dear Ones of St. C’s, 

As I end my time being in charge this week and hand the reigns back over to Alissa I have been reflecting on our time together and what a special community that makes up St. Columba’s.  After first, navigating a year not being able to meet in-person and persevering in staying church, staying connected, and taking care of each other.  We then entered the next phase of the pandemic, figuring out together what church life would like in these in-between times.   It has meant many different things to different people, especially as we await with bated breath for children under 12 to get vaccinated.  But as I look at our list of community members I am blown away by how each person has figured out a way to stay connected to this church. I am so proud of us.  

This ongoing pandemic has been so hard, with risk factors constantly changing and no easy set of rules to follow.  Even with all of that I feel like I know each of you on a deeper level then pre-pandemic and each of you have still managed to give back to this community in one way or another.  I am so thankful for the work of stewarding this community and continually discovering God’s love and grace is among us.  

Thank you all who have supported me in Alissa’s absence.  Thank you for every building project you helped me with, every meeting you sat through, every zoom call, every gathering you participated in, every community member you loved on, and every worship service you participated in.  We did it together; we remained a place of prayer, a place of belonging, and a place to act beyond ourselves. I am so excited for the work ahead of us as we welcome Alissa and her family back into our fold.   If we are going to do it well, it is going to be together, and you all have shown me again and again you are here to do it well.  

with much gratitude, 

Meghan