Dear Friends:

It seems like almost every year you hear me, or someone like me say, 'We're a church in transition.' You might well be wondering whether we will ever be done with all this transitioning! Sometimes I am wondering right along with you. However, transition is just another way of saying that we are in the process of being 'conformed to the likeness of His Son.'

Our sense of vision for our church changes as we become more aware of what God is doing. Sometimes our thoughts lead us to believe that a certain direction is in order. After some time has passed, God may give us a 'mid-course correction' so we can adjust our thinking to be more in agreement with His will. We have a growing sense that God has marked our church for Himself, as He has dealt faithfully with us, even chastening us from time to time.

In recent years, we have been blessed with a wonderful sense of unity of purpose as a church. The Lord has offered us opportunities for witness and outreach, and we are learning how to make the best use of these resources. Gifts from the and from enabled us to purchase New Testaments and a quantity of Jesus videos for outreach.

Our services of worship have been marked by the presence of God, love for the brethren, and by a willingness to enter into His presence. Since November 1999, our mid-week Prayer Meeting has been well attended by people who believe in and engage in serious prayer and intercession. And, to God's glory, He has answered much prayer this year.

Worship attendance grew a bit from last year and our finances seem blessed by God. Years ago we would haggle over expenditures, but no more. For the last seven years, we have sought God for His will in all our finances. Overall, there is a spirit of life inhabiting our fellowship that is wonderful to experience. We have been greatly encouraged by the gift of willing workers and finances from to assist us as we begin to restore our church buildings.

The level of commitment we see in our church family is a great encouragement. I rejoice that our church is willing to try new things. Truly, we are experiencing the love of God building us together.

We are now set purposefully to enter a season of renewal in our church. 'Rekindle!' is an opportunity to take our relationship with God to the next level, to step up our devotions and grow deeper into the walk of faith. We will not hurry this process, but will take all the time we need to hear from the Lord, come to an understanding of our church's strengths, and celebrate what God has done among us. We will discern from God's Word His direction for the next several years, and will seek to be obedient to that heavenly vision (Acts 26: 19). We are joining with several churches from around Massachusetts and around the nation in this pilot project of congregational transformation. Our church's Leadership Team and I are very excited about what we see God doing in our church!

As a church family, we are blessed to have our team of leaders who take personal responsibility for the spiritual well being of this congregation. Working with them provides me with accountability and support, as well as enthusiastic encouragement for the work of ministry in which we all share.

'We're a church in transition.' Together we share the privilege of discovering where God is working and how He wants us to join Him in touching our local community with His love.

As we continue to 'transition' into what God desires us to become, I invite you to come along with us on this great adventure.

Yours, in Jesus,

Pastor Edmund C. de la Cour, Jr.