The Welcome of a Steadfast God: Inviting All the Questions

Our program theme for this year is “The Welcome of a Steadfast God: Inviting All the Questions.” Program year themes help ground us as a faith community, shaping how we grow in faith and care for all in our life together. This year’s theme flows from last year’s “Stories of Home” theme. Our home in God is grounded in God’s welcome. That continual hospitality is experienced because of God’s steadfast lovingkindness. Grounded in a steadfast God, all questions are invited. The questions we ask God and one another open us, shape who we are, and how we live the gift of faith.

As the program year begins, we will spend time this month pondering a steadfast God. We will also begin to invite questions we have at this moment in history and on this corner of the world. The intergenerational event at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday is a first step into this year’s theme. We will pause to reflect on the steadfast people, places, or things in our lives. How do those steadfast gifts open us to God’s steadfast lovingkindness? Next weekend, the Adult Forum will reflect on the shape of the questions, and the Empowering Conversations over lunch will explore the nuances of the theme for the year.

The Congregation Council has invited Tom Jolivette to facilitate Fall Mission Cottage Meetings. We will gather to explore all the questions as we look to the 100th Anniversary of the sanctuary in 2027 and listen for the questions God might ask us and we might ask God. You can sign up to join one of these cottage meetings online or at the Welcome Desk.

God’s steadfast welcome is for you. As the beloved of God, all the questions are invited as we seek to welcome all, no exceptions.

Yours in Christ Jesus,
Pastor Peter