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As I begin some very needed time-off, I just want to take a moment to thank all of you who have given so deeply of your time and resources this past year. This church is filled with loving, giving and compassionate people who serve God in so many different ways simply because they are overflowing with Divine Love and want to share that Love with the world. You all work tirelessly all year long. However, I want to offer a special "thank you" to everyone who served so selflessly during Advent and Christmas Eve. There are many wonderful stories to share in the weeks to come but for now let me just say that close to 500 people worshipped God in our sanctuary on Christmas Eve and it was beautiful! It was all about Love!

As I begin to reflect upon this past year I am overwhelmed with the amount of Love we shared with one another in the midst of a world that can sometimes be cruel. A few moments of Love that came to mind:

  • As our community encountered some heartbreaking and terrifying moments around "immigration enforcement. "Love shone through in new advocacy groups and neighbors who came together to help those who needed us the most.
  • When the LGBTQ community here in Key West was feeling unseen and fearful of being erased, amazing people offered new ways of celebrating one another with mini painted fences and new ideas to celebrate this often marginalized group of people. 
  • As a church, in a world where Christianity has been distorted, twisted and even used as a weapon, we have come together and became even more focused on being the Church Jesus called us to be - filled with Love for everyone. 
  • For me personally, in moments when I was hurt deeply by someone I thought was a friend and faced moments when I doubted myself because past traumas were triggered by the way I was being treated, God helped me to remember that the Love that has come into my life through new friends, new ways of serving our community and friendships that have deepened, that I am worthy and I am loved.

 

Friends, I hope and pray that you will take some time this week to reflect on where Love has grown in your world and in your life. Yes, we should reflect on the sadness and the grief. However, we must also see the Love which is the light that overcomes the darkness and carry that Love of Christ into 2026 as we serve and grow together.

 

18Forget the former things;

    do not dwell on the past.

 

19 See, I am doing a new thing!

    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness

    and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43:18-19)

 

Happy New Year!

 

Grace and peace

-Pastor Madeline