Encouragement (Page 5)
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…
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…
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…
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…
The Promise of Advent
November 29, 2023A Note from Pastor Jon Dear Friends, Advent is one of my favorite rhythms of the church. I love the decorations, the beautification, the lights, the flowers, the colors, yet I loathe the cold on most days that end in “y.” In this season, it is with great fondness and intention that I reflect upon the LOVE, HOPE, JOY, and PEACE we speak of as we light our Advent candles. The Great Story Year 2: Jesus Last year,…
Back from Renewal Leave
November 22, 2023A Note from Pastor April Dearest Friends, It’s so good to be back with you! In this week of Thanksgiving I’m feeling gratitude for a season to reconnect with many of you and to share some of the amazing ways that God has been at work in our lives during the four months that I’ve been away. In a week when we will likely be reflecting on the people in our lives who matter to us, I wanted…
Advent & More Space
November 15, 2023A Note from Pastor April Dearest Friends, It’s so good to be back with you! In this week before Thanksgiving, my heart is full of gratitude to you, the HUMC congregation, lay leaders, and staff for supporting this sacred time away. There aren’t enough words of thanksgiving for the ways all of you continued to embody the mission of our church, taking significant steps forward to meet the needs of our community and to keep our shared work…
Attending to Things of Importance
November 8, 2023A Note from Pastor Jon Dear Friends, It is with a tad bit of excitement that I’m typing these words to offer you this week. A quick glance at the calendar says it’s officially November. My calendar says that on the 13th of November, Pastor April resumes duties as Lead Pastor at Hilliard United Methodist Church. As you all know I look forward with great anticipation to her return and to no longer carrying the yoke of pastoral…
Why We Chose HUMC
November 1, 2023A Note from the Rev. Melonie Harnish Dear Friends, I have been attending for the last year but most of you do not know me — my name is Melonie Harnish, and I moved to Hilliard in June 2022. I am a retired United Methodist Elder (pastor) in full connection with the West Ohio Conference. I have been retired since July 1, 2021, after serving in West Ohio for 34 years. I have been married to Sam for…
Showing No-Matter-What Love
October 25, 2023A Note from Nikki Buskirk Dear Friends, As many of you know, back in January I officially became a Godly Play trainer. I get to go to other churches and train people in how to do Godly Play, the Bible stories and materials we use in our Children’s Ministry on Sunday mornings with kids age four through 6th grade. I have loved every moment of it: meeting new people, talking about Godly Play, speaking the language of Godly…
The Courage to Be
October 18, 2023A Note from Courtney Wiater Dear Friends, I have always liked to stay busy. Not always productive, but always busy. All throughout my high school and college career, I was at the school 12 or more hours daily, participating in classes, band, choir, theater, and other extracurriculars. In my social life, I would go from one activity to the next, rarely pausing or just staying home to rest. As I entered my first few years as a teacher,…
My Answer from God?
October 11, 2023A Note from Michelle Dethlefsen Dear Friends, When I had my son, I quickly realized that I didn’t know half of what I thought I did. I was 24 and a single mom. I didn’t really have a place to live, and I was determined to make my child feel as if he wasn’t missing out in life due to the choices I made. I crashed at friends’ houses, moved in with someone I barely knew, worked four…