I write this during the last week of December and there is still plenty of snow on the ground from our 12 inches on the 26^th. Wow! What a surprise that one was. As I write this, I am looking at the calendar for the New Year and realizing how it is filling up with meetings, weddings, Lent, and other events of importance in the life of this church for the New Year's months and days. What will our challenges be? How will we live out our understanding of the Great Commission here in this "community of faith?" All of that will be answered as we go to work. But the most important thing about our task is that first and foremost we are to glorify God and offer Christ to all. Whatever else we do, should be after that. People are hungry for a meaningful understanding of God in their lives. We are living in times in which there are war and terror. We know that we cannot go untouched by these issues and their implications in our country. As we continue to think about "Open hearts, Open minds, and Open doors," do we really mean it? Have we plummeted the depths of what that really means in this neighborhood and city? This very week PORT will begin at our church. Yes the homeless will be bedding down in the fellowship hall and the sights and sounds and smells of all that this involves will be here for us to deal with. Opening our hearts, minds and doors means we have hard work to do and it makes us vulnerable too. Christ often led us in thinking about becoming vulnerable to serve the "least of these my brethren." Open doors, open hearts, open minds means unguarded, hospitable, sharing, caring, giving, and letting go. It can be disquieting at best. Think about it. Our calendars are our road maps.

Love and Peace in 2005

The Church Tower is published monthly (except August) by First United Methodist Church, 10246 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, Virginia 23601, (757)595-0383, Church Web Site, Editor:Gerry Beale Turner,gerry@fumc-nnva.org, Webmaster: Bob McKitrick, rwmkfm@cox.net Pastor: John T. LeGault Jr., jlegault@acninc.net, Deadline for copy: The 15th of each month. The Editor reserves the right to edit for content and space.

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Last update: January 7, 2005