Dear Church,

If you're anything like me, right now you are thinking, "Where did 2018 GO???"  It seems like the days are speeding up and time is flying by before we can even catch it.  Nonetheless, here we are and 2019 is upon us.

During this time in the year, it is common for us to reflect.  We often look at the year and what we have accomplished or maybe even what we would have liked to accomplish that we didn't.  Sometimes, we reflect back father and compare this year to years we have had in the past.  We evaluate what was better, and often what was worse.  However, we can conclude that this year didn't go the same way for every person.

The beauty of humanity is that we are all created differently.  We think of things differently, we experience things differently, and we process things differently.  As we all lived our own lives this year, some came across many blessings.  Some found joy around every corner.  For some, however, this year was difficult.  It was marred by loss, heartbreak, and possibly what felt like one pain after another.

However, this is the dawn of a new year.  There is something magical about this time of year in that we have the opportunity for "re-birth" so to speak.  While nothing will happen to physically make the change of the new year different, there is still a power that lay inside us that makes the New Year so exciting.  This is, the power of our minds.

The reason we make resolutions and vows for life change is that we have a mindset that says, "New Year, New Me".  This power of the mind is incredible.  It allows us to disrupt our lives for weeks, months, and (sometimes) for the whole year.  Some of the changes we try to make may not last long and others may change the way we live for the rest of our lives.  And, to top it all off, this doesn't just have to be something you do alone.

~THIS CAN BE SOMETHING WE DO TOGETHER~

Because a mentality for change doesn't just happen at the individual level.  The mentality for change is most effective in the world, at a community level.  That is why we here at Ransom United Methodist Church, have decided that we need a shift in mentality.  While this New Year does not denote, for the church, a time of resolution, it will denote a time of change in the life of the church.  Primarily, we want to be ACTIVE and PRESENT in the community around us.  And we want YOU to be part of this.  We would live everyone who can, to jump on board and enable Ransom UMC to be the present life of Christ in our small town of Ransom, IL.

What does that mean for the church?

As you have probably noticed already, the church has already started having more and more events.  It is our goal to open our church up for the community to come in but also that we meet the community where they are.  The truth is, if you are not part of a church, or comfortable with the church, going to a Sunday service is intimidating and many people aren't likely to do it if they don't have a reason.  So, WE'RE GOING TO GIVE THEM A REASON!

In 2019, we have many events planned to invite people into our church, in what we hope is a non-intimidating way.  We also have events planned throughout the course of the year that will enable us to be in the community for everyone to see that we are here, and we are here to serve, as is the call of the Church.  Once again, we want EVERYONE WHO CAN to be part of this!

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR YOU?!?!?!

INVITE.  INVITE.  INVITE.  You have friends and family members that don't go to church.  Invite them!  You have friends and family members that might enjoy an event we are hosting, even if they already go to another church.  INVITE THEM!  We have events where you feel you can serve!  PLEASE COME SERVE!

The truth is, this is for the WHOLE CHURCH.  Not just people on boards and committees.  It is for YOU!  We need all the help we can get, and what is more, WE WANT YOU THERE!!!  So, come serve alongside us.  The New Year calls for a New Mentality, and that might just mean getting out of your comfort zone!  Come join us.  We will try to make it as comfortable for you as we can!

Please look at the list of events for this year!  If you think you can help, please do!  I'm sure that you will find great blessing in this service!

Happy New Year All!!!
Pastor Jon