A New Day Dawns...
Greetings one and all!
I simply cannot tell you all how blessed I am to be here serving this community! Every morning I wake up and the first thought that pops into my head is "Thank You God!"
Today was our first day of Vacation Bible School, and what a turn out! We had over fifty children. Let me say that again...FIFTY children! Can you believe that? For the last two weeks I have watched as the church was transformed into a camp setting. I have seen Anita and Faye up here nearly every night working their hearts out to make all this possible. I have seen youth pitch in to help. I have seen husbands who are often too burdened by life to make it to church on a weekly basis up here helping! I have seen an entire community pull together in an attempt to transform this church into a Camp EDGE (Experiencing and Discovering God Everywhere).
More than simply transforming the church into a camp, you all have worked to transform this church into a Body of Christ ready to fully serve the next generations of Christians. For that, I am extremely proud. I was also a lot of fun to see the panic in Anita's face as the children just kept pouring in the doors, I don't think any of us were ready for this great of a blessing!
Vacation Bible School has shown me something that I have suspected since my first Sunday here. Elgin United Methodist Church is no longer a small country church. We are in the midst of a great transition into a larger church capable of reaching many more people. As our community grows, we must be ready to grow, and with growth comes change...and all change brings about some level of pain or discomfort. I feel God acting upon this church, really setting us in motion!
I hope we are ready for that force, and we are ready to get in motion for God. If people can step forward like they have for the last two weeks in preparation for Vacation Bible School, I know we will have no problem whatsoever. To that end we need to explore a "changing of the guard" in regards to our Trustee's. Now don't get me wrong, here...I understand and know that our current Trustee's are a committed and competent group. However they are getting old enough that some are becoming limited in what they can do on a physical basis. While, at the same time, we also have several younger attendees that could step up to the plate to assist them.
I envision a "Class of 2010" nominees that could be paired off with a current Trustee as a mentor and guide. This pairing would then have the brains and the brawn sufficient to meet any of the challenges that comes their way. So today...right here...I am placing a "call" for volunteers to search their hearts and pray for guidance. If you feel "moved" to provide your support in this endeavor we would sure like to hear from you.
I also know that God will be there to comfort us through the pain of change. God is always faithful! Be ready Elgin United Methodist Church! God has big things planned for us.
Thank you all so much for letting me be a part of your blessed community, and thank you for the many blessings you have given me.
Peace and Love,
Pastor Coy
