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 Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

November is upon us! Where does time go? We have had a busy few months at church. We launched our new Discipleship and Church Growth Initiative, which aims to cultivate meaningful discipleship within the church and explore how the church can be a place that those seeking church participation desire to join. There are many things about Kinsman that make us an ideal church: The deep love and care that characterizes this community is one that shows the best of Christian discipleship. The mutual care, love, and concern this community holds for one another is tangible and visible.

In our world of chaos and discontent, a community that lives up to the Christlike ideal of love and peace is exactly the alternative we are called to embody as Christ’s disciples. I have felt this love personally, as has my family when visiting. Later this month, we will usher in a new liturgical year. The season of Advent is the “New Year” of the Christian calendar. It is a time when we set our sights on preparing for the birth of love personified in the person of Christ Jesus. The values of hope, peace, love, and joy are the values that bind us together as the church.

Over the next few weeks, I encourage you to consider how God is calling you to live out the Advent values of preparing for the Christ-child. I also encourage you to consider how God is calling us together, as the church, to be love personified for our communities. There will be some opportunities to share your ideas to help guide our discussions about sharing the tremendous gift that is Kinsman Presbyterian Church.

Know that I am thankful for you and praying for you and your families to experience God’s love this season!

 In Christ’s love, grace, and peace,

 David