How is it that we are already in the month of February?  I’m waiting to see if we can avoid “Snowmageddon” again this year.  It’s hard to believe it was two years ago when we found ourselves buried for a week under snow.  It’s also hard for me to believe that I moved here among you here in the Cedar Creek Community two years ago, coincidentally on that snowy February 13^th day in 2021.  Lent is coming up earlier this year, with Ash Wednesday on February 22.  My Lenten letter will soon be in the mail with details about our plans for the Lenten season.  On Sunday, we will have a moment of Stewardship to address concerns over the church budget.  Money is a subject we don’t like to breach in polite company as Presbyterians, but there are times when it’s necessary to discuss it and this is the time.  Out of concern for the budget, I asked session to allow me to sign a 6 month contract this year until we get a better handle on church finances.  We’ve had some new folks come to visit the church and some former members come back to visit, so my hope is that if we can bring in additional members, we can restore and sustain our financial health.  While I am encouraged, I think we also need to consider possibilities for sharing our space here at the church with external groups as a source of additional revenue.  More and more we are called to consider how we nurture and care not only for ourselves, but also our community.  How can we extend hospitality as much as we are able?  Given these challenges and the possibilities and opportunities upon which we reflect during Lent, I want to share these words from Catholic social activist Catherine Doherty, "Lent is a time of going very deeply into ourselves... What is it that stands between us and God? Between us and our brothers and sisters? Between us and life, the life of the Spirit? Whatever it is, let us relentlessly tear it out, without a moment's hesitation."  I know God has a lot of work for us to do here and in the world and I believe God called me here for a reason.  I take that calling very seriously and I am grateful beyond words to be here with you.

Pastor Jim