Happy New Year, Middle!
We’re almost to the end of our Twelve Days of Christmas “Gifts to Bring” emails. Have you enjoyed the gifts? I always think it’s fun to see the diversity from each of the contributors. It teaches me something about what each individual treasures. One of the few sayings that scholars think Jesus actually said is, “What you treasure is your hearts true measure.”
In this new year, if you were asked what you treasured, what would you say? Are there other ways that is evident?
Perhaps it’s in work you do.
perhaps in how you volunteer.
Perhaps it’s in how you protest.
Perhaps it’s in where and how you spend your money.
I’ve always rolled the work this takes up into one word— bandwidth, which for me means doesn’t just relate to connecting to the internet, but it’s money, focus and time.
In 2025, we know there is a great work ahead of us. How will you spend your bandwidth? How will you be a good steward of it so it perpetually replenishes itself, so you don’t deplete your resources?
Perhaps in making sure you are in learning opportunities like conference coming up in April.
Perhaps it’s in small group sessions like our spiritual series coming up in February.
Perhaps it’s in making time for naps.
Perhaps it’s in volunteering to make sandwiches or usher or put away chairs or help set up our revived space when we return home on Easter.
One of my favorite Christmas movies is The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. What if the grinch had been a better steward of his bandwidth? Would he have judged the Whos down in Whoville so harshly without understanding them?
The hope, peace, love, and joy of this season can be hard to hold; we’ve got to be intentional. It’s not a passive activity. Only then will we be more aware of the gifts we can share with our community and with the world.
See you at church!
Rev. Natalie Renee Perkins
Executive Minister for Digital Church