Our Spiritual Bonds will never break

Dear Church Family & Friends,

Over the years I have written many articles covering many different topics.  I had hoped to be sharing with you about the Southern New England United Churchof Christ (SNEUCC) Annual Meeting. Unfortunately, due to the weather I was unable to attend.  That would be okay as I could attend via Zoom. But God had different plans as I was unable to link on Friday due to some connection problems. Saturday, there was fluctuating power that kept me from joining. As such, I cannot you about the meeting.

Now, as we are entering the fall season of our 14th year serving the Lord together, I am at a bit of a loss. My heart wants to support you all in the changes taking and yet, soon this will no longer be part of my call. For many, this separating is difficult as there are a lot of unknowns ahead. But truth be told, we always have unknown ahead.  So, I wish to encourage you to continue moving forward into the call of Christ upon your hearts.

Over the years I have often quoted from scripture and here I will do that again. Ecclesiastes 3: 1- 4 states, “There is a time to weep and a time to laugh…and a time to be apart.” From Acts 20: 37-38, Even the early apostles wept freely and hugged one another when saying emotional, physical goodbyes knowing they might not see each other’s faces again on earth.

At the same time, we know our spiritual bonds never break! In Romans 8: 38-39 we are reminded by Paul, ‘neither death nor life…nor any other created thing’ can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. “Love never ends.” 1 Corinthians 13: 8.

So, as we move forward to the coming year, we have much to do. We need to prepare ourselves and the church to continue moving forward in times of change. Let’s be honest, when have we not been going through times of change? May the Lord our God bless us as we prepare for future endeavors in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Peace.  Reverend Cheryl Rieder