Grace and peace,

This is my first written greeting to all Gethsemane members and I want to thank you for your welcoming spirit to Pastor Mark and myself. Your caring and support is appreciated by both of us.

Well, it is Fall! And what happens in Fall in church congregations? We come back together to gather in worship, to share the Lord’s Supper, to join together in music, Learning, outreach into our community. We will meet with old friends and meet some new friends.

We already have a head start on meeting new friends - our VBS collaboration with Our Savior’s and Messiah was a good time for all. We shared worship, music, Bible stories, meals, crafts, games, got to meet new people of all ages. It was a joyful time.

Now we are beginning our time together as learners - in Sunday School,, Youth groups, Adult Bible/book studies. I want to share how Gethsemane’s S.S., Confirmation, and Youth programs are working this year. Our Confirmation and Youth groups will be in collaboration with Messiah and Our Savior’s. It is important that children and youth experience fellowship and learning with others of their ages - to share the faith into which they have been baptized.

It is a priority that we provide an atmosphere of faith, learned through love, by being surrounded by adults as well as others of their own age as they grow into children of God in the world.

In the Updates is the explanation of our new collaborative program. Any questions Please contact me through the church office. Gethsemane will continue their S.S. Program on Sunday mornings. Parents and children of grades 4-6 will have the choice of attending S.S. School, youth group for their ages on Wednesdays or do both.

We realize this a big change, but the leaders of the three congregations believe sharing of ministry in this way is affirming and life-giving to all of us. We covet your prayers for our children and youth as we come together as the children of God in this world.

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Marion Rova