Pastor Maggie’s Message Summer 2026
Beloved Community,
Grace and peace to you all as we step into the summer season!
As the days grow longer and the light lingers into the evening, we are invited once again into a season of connection—with our Creator God and with one another.
Summer has a way of opening space for gathering: those who travel south for the winter return home, visitors fill our pews, and our shared life as a congregation takes on a different rhythm of worship, fellowship, and service.
This year is especially meaningful as we celebrate our 160th anniversary as a congregation.
We give thanks for all the generations who have carried faith in this place, often through seasons of change, challenge, and renewal. We also give thanks for who we are today: a merged congregation, brought together in Christ, learning to live more deeply into our shared identity, and discovering anew what it means to be the body of Christ together.
That gift of unity is beautifully expressed in Psalm 133:1
How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!”
These words speak not only to harmony, but to a living, active togetherness—one that is shaped by grace, patience, and love. We see that unity reflected in so many ways, including the support that has made possible the renewal of our parking lot. What may seem like a practical improvement is also a sign of welcome and care, helping ensure that all who come—whether for worship, grief, celebration, or service—are received with safety and hospitality. It is one more way we live out our unity in Christ in tangible form.
Vacation Bible School (VBS) will once again bring joy and energy into our shared life as we head to “Rainforest Falls,” exploring the nature of God, beginning Sunday, June 21. I am grateful for all who volunteer their time, energy, creativity, and care, and for those who provide food and supplies. It is a gift to witness children growing in faith while being surrounded by a community that loves and supports them.
Following VBS, some of our youth will continue that spirit of service as we travel to Duluth for our mission trip. We give thanks for all who will serve and represent our congregation in this way, and for all the generous donations that have made this trip possible. We pray for safe travels, open hearts, and meaningful connections as we share Christ’s love through hands-on service. May this time be both a blessing to those they serve and a deepening of faith for all who go.
Finally, my prayer for everyone this summer is that you receive what your spirit most needs—rest where you are weary, joy where you need renewal, and connection where you long for belonging. May the warmth of the sun remind you of the light of God’s Son—the light of life and the light of the world.
When you need rest, may you find shelter in God’s care. When you are thirsty, may you be nourished by God’s grace. And may you continue to recognize Christ’s light in one another.
So may we continue to grow together as one body in Christ—grateful for our past, grounded in our present, and hopeful for the future God is unfolding among us.
Thank you for being part of this beloved community, and for being the light of Christ in the world.
With love & gratitude,
Pastor Maggie Westaby