Kindred in Christ,

This Sunday, we continue our Roots and Branches series and reflect on a simple but powerful truth: God is always doing a new thing. Isaiah speaks of new heavens and a new earth (Isaiah 65:17-25). Jesus reminds his disciples that even the most solid structures, the Temple they thought would last forever, may give way to something fresh (Luke 21:5-9). God’s work of renewal is alive, surprising, and sometimes a little disruptive.

Our Methodist roots remind us of this pattern. From John Wesley’s heart “strangely warmed” at Aldersgate to the spread of American Methodism, God’s Spirit has consistently moved beyond anyone’s plans. And just like roots growing into new soil, that movement was not without conflict. John and Charles wrestled with how far to go, navigating tensions between tradition, authority, and the unexpected work of the Spirit. These growing pains remind us that new life often comes through challenge, debate, and faith stretched beyond the familiar.

Thankfully, our tradition gives us tools to discern God’s leading. This Sunday we will explore the Wesleyan Quadrilateral—Scripture, Tradition, Reason, and Experience—which helps us reflect on God’s guidance and follow the Spirit faithfully, even when the path is new.

This sense of discernment, growth and possibility connects to our ongoing pledge campaign. As we prayerfully consider our gifts of time, resources, and finance, we participate in God’s new work among us. I invite you to sit with your pledge packet, pray, and reflect on what you might be called to give for the sake of ministry in the year ahead.

I am deeply grateful for each of you. May we hold our roots with gratitude, our present with courage, and our future with open hands, ready to join God in all the new things yet to come.

Alongside you,

Pastor Paul Ortiz