Archived 06/02: A Message From the Pastor
Rev. Alice Ann Bonham

Friends,
     It's hard for me to believe that we're almost at the end of my first year here at RPUMC. It has been a wonderful time for me and my family and I believe that it has been a good time for the life of this congregation. I've made really good progress at getting to know you by your faces and names (although there are still quite a few I need to put together) and we've settled nicely into the Ridley Park community.
     As a congregation we're coming together and learning to live together as a family of faith. Things aren't perfect, but nothing this side of heaven really is. As we end our first year together and celebrate the season of Pentecost my prayer for us is that we will continue to let the Holy Spirit guide and strengthen us in our commori ministry. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Galatia:
  ... the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self?control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-25)  
     It's these fruits of the Spirit that will enable us to continue on this journey that God has placed before us.
     I would ask that as we continue to grow together you would be patient, kind, generous, gentle and full of love. There will be times that we will sing a hymn too slow, too fast, too loud, too soft for your taste. There will be some changes made in the order of worship that you may not like or like a great deal. There will be decisions made that in your opinion are long overdue or should never have been made in the first place. All of 		this is okay and a part of being in the family of God.
     When these things happen, and they will, please lean on the Holy Spirit and ask for strength and guidance ? then come talk with me. I'm always open to hearing what's on your hearts and minds. We may never come to an agreement, but the conversation will have been the important thing. My heart, my mind and my door is always open to each of you.
     May each of you find these months of Summer joyful, peaceful and restful. May God grant you traveling mercies during the coming days of vacations and family visits and may you return to congregational life refreshed and ready to explore ministry opportunities as we seek to serve the Lord,

God Bless,
Pastor Alice Ann
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