Dear Glen Mar friends,

I am back from a whirlwind trip to Durham, NC, where I attended a pastor educational event at Duke Divinity School. I learned lots of great things around the theme “Pulpits in Many Places,” and had lots of fellowship and worship time. Because this is how the Holy Spirit works, God even spoke theologically through Coach K., as he was being interviewed by the amazing Dr. Kate Bowler on a live recording of Kate’s Podcast, “Everything Happens…”(A great podcast if you are in search of one). Coach K. said something like, “I’m sort of private about my religion—I’m Catholic and my wife’s a Baptist, but I believe that every person on earth is a sort of present from God, and part of our job is to unwrap the present, and to help that person know their gifts and talents.” Sounds to me like “Blessed to be a blessing.” Sounds to me like “God gave everyone gifts for building up the body of Christ.”

So, this week, I just wanted to lift up that YOU are a gift, a present from God, sent to the world to love and be loved, to serve and to share. You are beautiful and precious and made in God’s image. I’m so grateful that God sent you. And I’m honored to be in this church family with you!

Join us for worship as we continue learning about God’s “Upside Down Kingdom,” and bring a great young man into membership through confirmation. See you this weekend at Charge Conference (check out the Realm event if you’d like to come), and/or at Trunk or Treat!

See you in church,

Pastor Mandy

PS Speaking of gifts, we were so thankful to receive over $16,000 for hurricane relief through UMCOR over the last two weeks, and our mission team in NC is doing well also! We pray for their work and time together—that it would be “a present” for them and the people they are with.