From the Pastor

January 10, 2005

Hello Friends,

It's already the beginning of a new year, an opportunity to take stock and to look ahead. It is January, the month of new diets and new exercise regimens. Some of course will quickly go the way of most "new year's resolutions" and will quickly fade away, but others may remain and help us truly improve ourselves and our lives, and give us a brighter future.

As individuals, it is a time to ask ourselves: "How shall we invest ourselves in our future? How can we take better care of ourselves and our loved ones; and how can we grow and improve in the way we face and live through a new year?"

As a congregation, it is also a time to ask ourselves: "How shall we invest ourselves in the future of John Knox? How can we strengthen existing ministries as well as encourage and develop new and exciting ministries to emerge, to help us better connect the gospel of Jesus with our community?"

A particular challenge facing us in the year ahead is making our church building and grounds as useful and adaptable as possible to provide ministry to people of increasingly diverse ages, backgrounds, and needs. The two major areas of need are:

Structural needs (roof leaks, deterioration of window frames, etc.)

25 year old Sanctuary needs (a dying organ needing replacement, upgrading our audio and visual capabilities, replacing frayed and stained carpeting/pew cushions, and in general making the space more usable for a variety of activities including worship, drama, music, and dance)

Our session is already making plans to help us meet these challenges, thanks in part to your very helpful feedback from our congregational surveys of several months ago. In the meantime, please pray for God's guidance as we all dedicate ourselves to growing as disciples of Jesus Christ and growing the ministry of John Knox Presbyterian Church in the year ahead.

My God bless you and yours,

Rev. John G. Higgins