In this New Year, 2018, we greet you and convey God’s blessings and Hid favor upon you ALL. The end of one year and the beginning of another is usually a time to reflect and planning. As Pastor E and I are seeking God for direction for 2018, we are seeing greatness in our future. This past year, 2017 was a good year, but we did not hit all of our markers. We have seen several people added to our number, we have seen others move on.
Through both trial and heartache, we have grown. There is something about the lessons of time and experience in life that cannot be produced or manufactured. Only through God’s refining process of sanctifying us as a church both as individuals and as a congregation have we come to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is important to dream, to try to imagine how, for example, we can help in some small way to make the world a better world. “This year our theme is, “Living In The spirit of Ubuntu.” (pronounced as uu-Boon-too). Our scripture is, “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.” Romans 12:10. The Zulu proverb build of the spirit of Ubuntu that says: “I am a person through other people. My humanity is tied to yours.” In 2018, we will be focusing of “FELLOWSHIP” and “COMMUNITY.”
A person that embodies the spirit of Ubuntu is welcoming, hospitable, warm, loving, generous, and willing to share whatever they have. The spirit of Ubuntu causes us to be open and available to others. When embody Ubuntu we are willing to be vulnerable and affirming of others, not only in our words, but also in our actions. This Ubuntu spirit will not allow us to feel threatened that others are to accomplish the dreams. Ubuntu helps us to recognize that we are part of the GREATER WHOLE. The spirit of Ubuntu calls out to us and opens our eyes to the understanding that when others are diminished, humiliated, oppressed, marginalized and we sit back and do nothing; we become part of the problem and not the solution. The spirit of Ubuntu gives us as a people the resilience to bounce from despair and cause use to live in joy and hope.
As part of our five (5) year plan that we began in 2014, we will also be spending more time on Extravagant Generosity. This year we will be focus on building our additional space and increasing our “Tithe and Offering.” This is our year to shine in being affectionate to one another; to shine in loving one another; and to shine of honoring one another.
Happy New Year to ALL!
Overseer Trevor & Pastor Emma Alexander
