Dearly Beloved,
Grace and peace to you, Van Meter UMC Family!
I'm so looking forward to getting settled in Van Meter and meeting each one of you! One thing you'll learn about me is I love summer and all the activities that let me out in God’s good creation. Some things I enjoy include gardening, fishing, picnics, dinner with family or friends on a deck or patio, live music, exploring area parks with walking and hiking trails, and going for a summer drive just to enjoy the scenery. Summertime certainly makes it easier to move and begin learning a bit about this community and surrounding area, find my way around the county, and discover what makes living here fun – community celebrations like Racoon River Days (I'll have to wait until next year for that), local parks and trails, Bulldog sports and events, VBS, and fun places to eat. I know all of you will help me get to know Van Meter, your school, Dallas County, and the wider area.
Moving to a new place is always a journey from what is known to what is, at first, unknown. I'm reminded that every journey is like this, a mix of familiar and unfamiliar, of endings and beginnings, of mystery and discovery. Every journey begins with saying 'yes' – and that's true of our spiritual life, too. We say 'yes' to the invitation of God's love; 'yes' to growing more intimately connected to God; 'yes' to growing in love through relationships that create community — with each other, with our neighbors, with all people; and 'yes' to following God together into the future, even though it may be more challenging or surprising than we ever expected. Even though we may not see the entire journey ahead, we trust that God knows the way, that God is already there, and that God will show us the next faithful steps to take together.
I am reminded of this promise, this word of hope in Jesus' last words to his disciples from the book of Matthew:
Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshipped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally. Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age." (Matt 28:16-20 MSG)
Friends, I'm excited to be on the journey together with you. No matter where this journey of following God has already taken us, or the challenges and blessings that await us in the future, trust that God loves you. Through the power of God's Holy Spirit, God is present with us on the journey, teaching us how to live this life of faith day by day, equipping us as we go, together as this faith community. Even in uncertain times, when we can't see what's next, God says: "I've got this. Even though you may not be able to see it now, I have a hope-filled future already all laid out for you."
What will we need to do to discern the future God has for us? It begins with trust: to open ourselves to God and God’s plans. God is faithful and trustworthy. We can trust that no matter what we can or can’t see, God is already out ahead of us. Trust that God will show us the next faithful step, and the next, as we trust in where God’s love leads us.
I'm so excited to get to know you and your families, to learn your stories and the stories of this church and community. I'm looking forward to learn from you, and to learn with you, as we lean into the amazing future God has for us. I can't wait to see where God's going to lead us!
In Christ's gracious love,
Pastor Cathy Nutting