Congregational Letter, January 2026
January 2026
To the Congregation of Grace United Methodist Church,
It’s a new year! The ball has dropped and it is officially 2026! I’ve always enjoyed having the first day of the new year off from work so I can reflect on the previous year and consider what may be new in the next one. Perhaps the most memorable transition to a new year for me was when I found out my wife was pregnant and we would be moving to a new town. The due date was literally the day we were moving! It was such a special season, though, as we announced to our church then at Christmas time that we would be having a baby! Everything was going to change for us: our routines, our habits, our financial situation, our home and our relationships. It was going to be a whirlwind! Some seasons are like that, but when we trust in the Lord, and lean on those we love and trust, we are sure to see a greater work that God is doing in the world.
I hope you’ve enjoyed the Christmas season but we are turning the page on 2025 and entering something new that God has in store for us! I am excited for this next year of ministry in a way I haven’t been for some time. We brought on board our new pastor of family ministries, and Pastor Nyasha Jeche is doing great! Our Sunday School is going well, family ministry events are connecting with new families, and she is taking on even more in 2026 as her schooling comes to an end. We are also excited about other staffing changes happening to better equip our church and to help us fulfill our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ! But it is only possible because of all the devoted members and friends of Grace United Methodist Church. Your volunteer hours, your commitment to one another and your continued support week after week make all the difference. We invite you, if you haven’t already, to write a statement of intention of what you plan to give financially to Grace Church this year. This helps with planning the budget and provides an opportunity for pastoral care when financial difficulties arise. Find the online version for a statement of intention at gumc.org/giving
We always encourage folks to take some time to faithfully reflect on what it is God would have you give in this new year. Giving cheerfully(2 Cor. 9:7) doesn’t mean we give when we don’t want to; it means we listen for God’s voice and feel good about what we’ve done to support the Lord’s work. This next year is going to be better than ever as we connect with new folks and show them why Grace United Methodist Church is such a special place. I hope you’ll consider a special gift to support our ministry. Enjoy the start to this new year and may you know God’s grace even more in 2026!
In Christ,
Pastor Brian Neville