What to keep, what to let go of, what to take up?

It is fall and things are definitely up and running at First Trinity! Sunday School, Church Council, Partnership Committee and my blogging are all back after a summer hiatus and Wise Women meets October 4.

The Council participated in a planning retreat yesterday and began the process of aligning this years programs and activities with our three priorities:

• Integrate stewardship into all aspects of congregational life.
• Plan for potential redevelopment of our facilities and our strategies for ministry.
• Develop and implement a strategic outreach plan.

One of our challenges is that we have more ideas and more needs than we have energy, staff and time. The Council will have to make some difficult choices in the coming weeks and months.

Pastor Wendy's sermon today gives us a way to look at the task before us. She spoke about how Jesus called his disciples to let go of those things they considered important as he pointed them toward ministry to those most in need. Pastor Wendy explained that our arms can be so full of things we have picked up and have hung on to that there is no room left for that to which we are called.

First Trinity has a rich history which has led us to the exciting possibilities and opportunities that lie before us. We look at the next three years and realize there is much to which we seem to be called, as well as challenges we will need to carefully consider and manage.

Collectively and individually we already have a lot on our plate, or in our arms. Over the coming months we need to look carefully at our current and planned activities, programs and ministries. We do this so that we can be the Church and the people that we discern God calling us to be. We cannot do it all. We need to be disciplined and wise stewards of all of our resources. We need everyone's prayers and best thinking in order to decide what we keep and what we let go of and what we then take on. We ask God's guidance and blessing as we embark upon this task.