FAITH AND FELLOWSHIP

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

As Christians we go through each day knowing God has a plan for us and a path to follow to make those plans happen. At the same time, we as Christians go through each day questioning God's plans and His path. We consistently throw kinks into God's plans by thinking we have a better way of doing things and a better path to take to have our plans met.

God knows that we are going to question the path and spometimes not end up where we are supposed to be according to His plan. At the same time GOD NEVER leaves our side and continues to be with us for when we are ready to turn to Him for support and guidance. God provided us with the ability to think and make decisions and choices for ouraelves.

As humans trying to interpret God's plan for our selves as individuals and choose the right path ro take is hard and scary, but with prayer and trust it can be done. It is even harder to do when we are talking about the plans for Our church. I always laugh at myself when I am having several conversations with myself on the path God wants me to take as a person when I know the only conversation I need to have is with God. With the church you have every member having those conversations with themselves, their family, their church family and with God. As hunabs it is hard to always agree not only on what direction to take our church but what path we should take to get there.

On October 20, St. Mark's held a congregational meeting where plans for the future of our church were discussed. We listened to what those plans were, and we prayed about them as we listened to the plans being told to us. The plans were maintenance items that need to be done and plans that would help beautify our church and make it more welcoming. The congregation then voted and approved those plans.

As brothers and sisters of God's church, I know this is a scary and unknown time for our church. No member takes these projects lightly and without questioning. Spending money is always hard and even harder when the future is uncertain. We as Christians need to continue to pray and support the church while questioning as we take these next steps for St. Mark's. Always remember, God Is Still Speaking and we just need to listen to Him and trust Him. God has plans for St. Mark's!

Heather Stone, Consistory President