Guess what? We’re entering an exciting season of change and possibility! You might have heard Bishop Tracy Smith Malone recently say, “Now is the time for us to focus forward.” Honestly, I couldn’t agree more. This feels like a significant moment for us to reinvigorate our faith and breathe new life into our church community.

We all know there’ve been some shifts in our church family lately. Some folks have decided to follow their spiritual journey down a different path. While we definitely feel that loss, Bishop Malone hit the nail on the head when she said, “We can no longer focus our attention and give energy to those who have chosen to withdraw or disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church.” We keep them in our prayers, of course, and wish them the best. But now? Now we put our energy into celebrating those who are sticking around, those who still believe in what we’re doing here at The United Methodist Church.

Here’s the deal, friends. We’re called to some truly awesome work – striving for justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly alongside God. It’s a divine moment, what Bishop Malone called a ‘kairos’ – a time when things are coming together in just the right way. It’s the perfect opportunity for us to step up and really live our shared commitment.

And I know change can be scary, but as Bishop Malone said, “Let us no longer look back in the rear-view mirror dwelling on our past but let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus on the road that God has paved and is paving ahead of us.” It’s about focusing on the road ahead and trusting where it leads.

Remember, the Spirit of God is always stirring things up, in the best possible way. We might not know what tomorrow looks like, but here’s the beautiful truth: “God is always making things new!” We don’t need to have all the answers, because the future of our church, and our own futures too, are in God’s reliable hands. How awesome is that?

So here’s the challenge for us all: let’s grab this moment with both hands. Let’s lean in, trust the journey, and be open to the amazing new things God’s stirring up in our community. Let’s walk this road together, encouraging each other, and making sure everyone knows their worth and dignity.

I hope this blog post gives you a spark of excitement for what’s ahead of us. Let’s walk into this new chapter of Niles First UMC life together, full of hope, love, and trust. After all, we’re in this together, and there’s no one else I’d rather have by my side on this journey.

Rev. Shane Russo