Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity,
we should do good to everyone —
especially to those in the family of faith. 

~ Galatians 6:10

 Cultivating in a New Beginning

The rhythm of the school year is deep in my bones. For me, the excitement of flipping the calendar from 2024 to 2025 cannot hold a candle to the thrill of the school year beginning. With new classes, aisles of notebooks, pens, and highlighters, a change in routines, and the soon-to-come fall air, the new school year inspires us to begin again. When I think back to beginning a new year in school, this excitement came with big questions. These wonderings that weighed on my mind were always about the community that I would be in: What would my teachers be like? Who would I get to sit with at lunch? Would any of my friends be in the same classes? Community was key.

Weeks ago, I had lunch with Audrey Hinds, a Saint John’s member with two young children, one of whom is just starting kindergarten this fall. Audrey and her wife, Tres, have invited several of their friends to church; many of those invited have continued to visit and some have even decided to make this their church home. I asked Audrey what it was in her conversations with people that made so many of them want to come to Saint John’s. What had she said that inspired their friends to join them at church? Audrey said she had shared that their family needed to intentionally find supportive, intergenerational community that shares their values, and that this church community does exactly that.

I think back to my days as a student facing the first day of school. My questions were not just about whether I would like the people I would spend my school days with. Even before I understood it, I think my need was to be in community with people who shared my values of kindness and care, curiosity and wonder.

Beginning this Sunday, we will journey through a new worship series called “Cultivating Community.” Together, we will delve into Saint John’s values of connection, inclusion, openness, mission, and justice. The key thing about our values is that none can be done by individuals alone – each of them needs to be lived into together, in community.

Also this Sunday we celebrate our annual Festival of New Beginnings, a gathering to explore different parts of our community you can connect with. Come find out not only what new classes will be offered, but who you can cultivate community with through this new season.

Festival of New Beginnings
THIS SUNDAY, August 25, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Looking for a way to intentionally grow in faith, to learn something new, or to connect with others? We are launching amazing classes this fall and have wonderful ongoing classes open to all.

Join us for the Festival of New Beginnings after each worship service on Sunday morning, August 25, to learn about these opportunities and to meet the teachers leading the classes.

For more information, email our Director of Faith Development, Shelley Walters, at .

Tags: back to school, new beginnings