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For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NRSV)

So begins one of the most famous passages in scripture

We read it at weddings, memorials, and during worship. But how often do we try to force things into our will and timing, forgetting that God’s timing might be different?

We’ve been enjoying (I hope) an annual time of summer rest, but August is here again. A little thought and planning now will allow us big opportunities through the fall. For instance,

Church Council is taking a good look at our by-laws this summer

By the time you read this, council members will have access to a new draft that streamlines some of our processes and hopefully sets us up better for future endeavors. We plan to discuss the revisions at Church Council next week, and then share them with the congregation for reflection and comment.

By getting the ball rolling now, we can have a vote to adopt them at our annual meeting early in 2025.

Why change our by-laws?

Well, the last substantive revision was in the 1990s, nearly 30 years ago! But this is not change for the sake of change–this is updating to reflect the realities of today. Teams will be smaller and easier to fill. Procedures will be more modern and common-sense. We’ll take a good look at “how we’ve always done it” and decide: should we?

If we forget to ask that vital question, “should we,” we could be perpetuating mistakes or making things harder for ourselves. Through it all, let’s be guided by the Holy Spirit, by God’s spirit of love and care for one another.

Please keep council members in prayer as they review the by-law revisions

Stay turned for a chance to review them yourself! With a simpler, clearer set of by-laws, we’ll be able to serve God more nimbly, find enough volunteers, and keep on preaching the good news of God’s love and welcome for all.

Photo by Susan Holt Simpson on Unsplash