From Lay Minister Toviao Hopkins Beloved Friends in Christ, August and September are months of transition. The warmth and slower pace of summer begin to give way to the familiar rhythms of autumn. Children and teachers prepare to return to school, fields begin to show the promise of another harvest, and our congregations prepare to return to the fullness of our fall worship schedule. In the midst of all these changes, there is something wonderfully reassuring: God remains faithful through every season of our lives. As another school year begins, we remember the children and young people of our communities. We pray for students as they return to their classrooms, for teachers and staff as they begin another year of serving and teaching, and for parents and families as they encourage and support their children. May God give our young people curious minds, compassionate hearts, courage when things are difficult, and people around them who remind them that they are loved and valued. We also enter the beginning of another harvest season. Soon, our fields will be filled with the activity of combines, trucks, and the many hands necessary to bring a year's work to completion. Harvest reminds us that much of life is about planting, nurturing, waiting, and finally gathering the fruits of our labor. It also reminds us to give thanks, not only for the harvest itself, but for the farmers, families, neighbors, and communities who work together throughout the year. As we return to our full fall schedule of worship and activities, we look forward with anticipation to gathering together again. There is something special about coming through the doors of our churches, seeing familiar faces, sharing a smile, hearing one another's voices, and worshiping our Lord together. Our congregations may be small, but the love of God that lives among us is anything but. We also look forward with particular joy to the beginning of another season of Confirmation. As our young people continue their journey of faith, may we remember that Confirmation is not simply a class or a requirement. It is an opportunity to grow in faith, ask questions, learn God's Word, and discover what it means to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ. One of the greatest blessings of our congregations continues to be the way you respond when others are in need. Once again, we have witnessed a wonderful outpouring of generosity and compassion from our church families (special “Thank You’s” the Aimee Skovholt, Kari Ward, Amanda Ward Families) as you have reached beyond yourselves to help others. You have demonstrated something very important: faith is not only something we profess with our lips; it is something we live with our lives. We have also seen especially beautiful expressions of Christian love in the way you have surrounded those who are grieving and suffering recent losses. In times of sorrow, there are often no perfect words. Sometimes the greatest gift we can give is simply to be there, to listen, to pray, to remember, to bring a meal, to make a phone call, or to sit quietly with someone who is hurting. Your love and support have been a powerful reminder that no one in our church family should ever have to walk through grief alone. As we enter this new season, may we carry with us the words of Scripture: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” There is a season for planting and a season for harvest. A season for learning and a season for growing. A season for celebration and a season for grieving. Through every one of those seasons, God walks with us. Welcome September with grateful hearts. Welcome our children and young people back to school. Welcome the harvest season. Welcome the return to our full fall worship life. Welcome our Confirmation students as they begin another important chapter in their faith journey. And most of all, continue to welcome one another… with open hearts, helping hands, generous spirits, and the love of Christ. May God bless our congregations, our families, our farmers, our teachers and students, those who are celebrating, those who are grieving, and all those who need a little extra love and encouragement today. May we continue to be a people who plant seeds of kindness, harvest blessings with gratitude, and share the love of Christ wherever God places us. In Christ's love, In Christ's love, GIGATT, Toviao LME