What gift can we bring,
What present, what token?
What words can convey it,
the joy of this day?
When grateful we come,
Remembering, rejoicing,
what song can we offer
in honor and praise?
Dear Family of APUMC,
Sometimes, even the preacher is at a loss for words.
Yeah, right, Darren (some will say). Not you! I’ll believe it when I see it.
A fair point. Maybe it is not a ‘loss of words’ so much as the recognition that it will take more than words to express all that is happening in our fellowship.
At yesterday’s Administrative Board meeting we were able to
● Honor the incredible faithfulness of our Trustees in their stewardship and enhancement of our church campus. Over the course of 2025, the signs of new paint, new pavement, new flooring, and future furnishings speak to our renewed commitment toward hospitality and a genuine spirit of welcome. Furthermore, the Trustees diligence in assessing future repairs is also to be commended. We know that we have work ahead of us in the restoration of our facilities, but we are prepared to meet the challenge head on.
● Celebrate that as of December 1, 2025 we have received 99.5% of our original operating budget for 2025. Wow! Now granted, some of my ministerial mentors would have advised that I not publicize that information very loudly, for fear that the giving will get complacent by year’s end. I, on the other hand, maintain that this news is too good not to share. When we consider all that the people of this congregation have weathered in recent years, I contend that we have every reason to shout our praise from the rooftops of this church. And when we do, we will notice that God is inviting us to do even more than we could have originally asked or imagined. In our case, it is the view from the rooftop that reminds us that there are still some bricks out of place! Therefore, I am grateful for the assurance that a strong finish to our fiscal year will rightly position us to replenish our building fund for the sake of future expenses. So thank you for your continued generosity!
● Prepare ourselves for the next chapter of our Preschool and Mother’s Day Out program. As many of you know, our Staff Parish Relations Committee is working faithfully to discern the next Director of this important ministry. As shared previously, our sincere gratitude goes out to Mary Hunter Fuller for all she has done to nurture our children and families during her tenure (which will conclude on December 17). Likewise, I am equally grateful for the leadership and counsel of Camille Hieronymus and Chee Chee Street. Their guidance has been instrumental as we navigate this transition together. No amount of meaningful change is free from all anxiety, but as a word of faith, hope, and love, I am anticipating that we will be able to make a new announcement in the coming weeks. Until then, we covet your prayers for all who are part of this program.
● Approve of the church’s operating budget for 2026. An operating budget of $927,844 has been unanimously approved for next year. This figure represents an increase of 1% from the 2025 budget.
And all of that was just during the lunch hour! Best of all, the evening was highlighted by the presentation of our children’s nativity. Donkeys, sheep, puppies, cows, and a unicorn–oh my! What ‘friendly beasts’ we had in our sanctuary! It was the perfect exclamation point at the end of a glorious day.
One could go on and on in these details and descriptions. Lord knows I could! But it would be best for you to come and witness it for yourself. As we approach this 3rd Sunday of Advent, and with Christmas quickly on the way, rest assured that there is room for you in the Inn.
What gift can we bring? You are enough.
O Come!
With JOY,
Darren