Posts from December 2023

encouragement

Where the Light Begins

December 27, 2023A Note from Pastor April Dear Friends, Merry Christmas! I’ve long been a fan of the writer and poet, Jan Richardson. Her words speak of what I hope this Christmas season brings for myself and for all of you. May the light be fully alive for you this week… Where the Light Begins A Blessing for the Christmas Season Perhaps it does not begin.Perhaps it is always.Perhaps it takesa lifetimeto open our eyes,to learn to seewhat has forevershimmered…
encouragement

Slowing Down

December 20, 2023A Note from Pastor April Dear Friends, When it comes to life’s important lessons, I usually have to learn them the hard way. I’ve known for some time that my body, my heart, and my spirit were needing a season to SLOW DOWN. (Note: One of my Letters of Encouragement in early 2023 was about this very thing!) Carrie Newcomer has a beautiful lyric in one of her songs that best describes where I was: “I’ve been traveling…
encouragement

Partnership

December 13, 2023A Note from Erin West, Hilliard Food Pantry Dear Friends, In a world that often feels divided, there are moments that remind us of the incredible power of unity and compassion. Today, we want to express our heartfelt thanks to you, our dear friends at Hilliard United Methodist Church, for your unwavering support and incredible generosity in sharing your space with the Hilliard Food Pantry Plus. Your kindness has been a shining light in our community, especially during…
Advent Christmas 2023

Special Christmas Offerings

Advent 2023 Dear Friends, Can you believe that Advent is here? In just a few short weeks you are invited to join us for one of our annual Christmas Eve services of celebration. Christmas Eve this year happens on a Sunday, and as such our schedule will be a little different than most years. We will have no regular Sunday morning worship on December 24. This year we will offer at 11am a time of Traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship.…
Christmas 2023

Opportunities to Serve

We have LOTS of ways you can offer to serve others at a time that fits your schedule and in a way that feels right to you. Assist families at the Hilliard Food Pantry’s Holiday Store December 15-17. Help welcome our weekday preschoolers & their families for their Christmas programs on Monday or Tuesday, December 18 or 19. Pack bags of food for Hilliard students in need to take home for the holidays with our Feeding Hilliard Students ministry. Help…
encouragement

The Power of Music

December 6, 2023A Note from Pastor April Dear Friends, Renewal leave allowed me a great deal of space to do something I love… travel. I have always loved the chance to experience new cultures… discovering all the wonderful foods, wandering through magnificent and ancient architecture, practicing a new language, and exploring communal rituals that I never knew existed. I love all of it! On our first night in Spain, my friend and I both ordered a tortilla for dinner. What…