Looking out into the courtyard, I am surrounded by so many signs of new life.  The dogwood trees are absolutely beautiful in their full regalia.  The rose garden begins to take on the appearance of new life also.  And the tulips have their stems standing tall, devoid of their beautiful blossoms.   It is a very picturesque scene and each image bursts forth with beckoning splendor and drama.  If you enjoy the courtyard as much as I do, please be sure and thank all those caregivers.

Now if I asked you to pick an image in the courtyard to represent our church, what would you pick???     ---the dogwoods; the roses; the tulips; or something else.....  All institutions go through the life cycles of birth to death; and the church is no exception.  Which image would you pick to symbolize our church?     Soon we will be talking about those kinds of images (and more).

We have just completed our reconnecting study.  We have been lead in a moving dynamic re-visitation of our theological task that has challenged us.  We have been encouraged to take stock of our current situation. Furthermore, we have been asked to place ourselves more fully into that great mission that Christ calls us by reaching out into our community and world.  We will be asking tough questions about our calling to Christ and our ministry.  We will be making an all church presentation sharing what our group study has discovered about ourselves, about our church, and about our calling as Christians.

These are exciting times in which to be alive.  As you think about our church and our place here in Sunnyside, where do you see God leading us into ministry?  Think and pray about our mission and ministry.  We will be leading an all church discussion in June to assess our situation and calling.  We have much to offer our community and our world.  We have been blessed and put here for a purpose.  Let us continue to love and pray for one another.