| As my wife and I enjoyed our Thanksgiving with close friends and family, I tried to focus on each person I encountered and think about what I was most grateful for – in them. I was grateful for the food, too, and had to have every recipe! Gratitude is a powerful force and when we CHOOSE gratitude over fear, over frustration, over guilt, then we see the world full of more hope and light. I serve on Resurrectionās Exploratory Committee and was honored to be recently elected to serve as the Assistant Treasurer of the Board of Directors. I have served many times on Resurrectionās Board, yet even during hurricane and flood recovery, I have never seen folks work this hard or for this many hours to get things done for our church. These āfolksā I speak of include your Board of Directors and the entire Executive Team. Other committees that are extensions of the Board are also working overtime, including the Pastoral Search Committee, the Exploratory Committee, the Nominating Committee, and the Bylaws Committee. Board members are doing their best to support the Executive Team, but at times they are simply stretched thin. What has impressed me most is the deep commitment, the dogged determination, and the GRACE the Board and Executive Team are showing to each other and to our congregants. I am so grateful. In an article I recently read by Craig Etheredge titled ā4 Practical Ways to Extend Godās Grace to Othersā https://disciplefirst.com/4-practical-ways-to-extend-gods-grace-to-others/, Craig says āEach of us stands in need of Godās grace, but each of us also has the opportunity to reflect Godās grace to the people around us. 2 Corinthians 3:18 TLB says āWe can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works with us, we become more and more like Jesus.ā ā¦ā¦ā¦..Part of what we reflect to others is the Grace of God.ā The article goes on to discuss four practical ways to show Godās grace to others: 1. Extend FORGIVENESS 2. Extend ENCOURAGEMENT 3. Extend a HELPING HAND 4. Extend the HOPE OF THE GOSPEL This holiday season can be a difficult time for some: missing family, not having family support, loneliness, grieving the loss of loved ones. Just the stress of the season ā financial, social, logistical, and emotional — can all be overwhelming. During this transitional time in our church, we have the opportunity to show each other an even larger measure of grace. Before I complain about someone, or a group as a whole, I need to remember to ask myself, āHave I extended grace to them? Have I forgiven them? Have I encouraged them? Have I extended a helping hand?ā It helps me to remember that thers are trying their best; then it seems that I show GRACE FIRST, and seek understanding, BEFORE making judgements. It is in seeing our Resurrection leadership and staff in the light of an āAttitude of Gratitudeā ā a sincere thankfulness for their very real hard work, sacrifice, and commitment, and trusting that they are all doing their best, so that we can extend that grace that is only a reflection of the grace that God has given to us. It is an exciting and sometimes chaotic time in the ministry of Resurrection, and things are moving forward as we approach the new year. We have a solid offer on our current property to share with you at the Specially Called Congregational Meeting on December 15, at 12:30 pm, immediately after the service, and I hope you all will be present (including online) to hear and ask questions. Members, we need your presence, whether virtually or in person, to conduct two very important votes! Be sure to check your email through the coming week for more information and Bylaw changes to review. My prayer for all of us in this time of Advent is that we look at others with an Attitude of Gratitude. Gratitude for friends, for family, for other congregants, for our leadership and staff, and especially for having the Spirit-filled, loving ministry of Resurrection in our lives. Wonāt you join me in extending grace to others through forgiveness, encouragement, a helping hand, and spreading hope ā the hope that is in the birth of our precious Baby Jesus? The blessings of gratitude and grace to you this Advent season, |
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| Jackie Marshall Resurrection MCC Board of Directors Jackie@ResurrectionMCC.Org |