November 2025 Greetings from the Lay Leader's Corner:

 

November is an interesting month liturgically; it begins at an be with God for eternity. The last Sunday in November is the First Sunday of Advent, the beginning of our journey to discover Christ, thus the beginning of the church year. In a world in which everything is finite, everything has a beginning and an end. Ends at a beginning, so to speak. The first Sunday in November is All Saints Sunday, dedicated to the remembrance and celebration of those of us whose time has ended here to

 

The one thing common to most endings and beginnings is that each entails preparation, whether we are aware of it or not. Granted, both endings and beginnings can be abrupt, happen without warning, but something always leads to them. Preparation can be intentional or haphazard.

 

Truth be told, this monthly article, though intentional, has developed rather haphazardly. It includes my thoughts and inspirations as it is written, but it needs to be more than that. It needs to include your thoughts, inspirations, hopes, and prayers. To facilitate that, I will spend some time this month, with your help, to develop a way to do that. First, on each Thursday morning, I will be at Reed City UMC from 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM to meet with you, any of you, no appointment needed to listen to what you have to offer; your thoughts, inspirations, hopes, and/or prayers. If you cannot be there in person, please contact me by phone, text, or email anytime between 9:00 AM and 10:00 PM with your input. My contact information can be found in the church directory or from the church office.

 

As your Lay Leader, I need and look forward to hearing from you, each of you, all of you. I am your servant. Please let me know how I can best serve you and, in doing so, serve our Lord. Together, we can end this church year with a renewed understanding of who we are as a people of God striving to do his will in the year ahead.

 

Peace be with you

Your lay leader,

Timothy Locker, Sr