First United Methodist Church of Fredonia

Hello Church Family!

So, I'd like to share something a little humorous, well it was to me anyway. June was sitting at her desk in the front office, and I was sitting in my desk (pastor's office). June was up to her eyebrows reading paperwork, answering the phone, answering questions of people entering the office, checking emails, and working on portions of the newsletter. All that was needed to complete the weekly letter was my piece, and I had writer's block.  In the meantime, Tom Lafferty is in and out of the office because he’s often working on several projects on several floors of the church. This particular time he was trying to navigate healing our automated church bell machine, which he did with his magical hands.  Mary Cole is running up and downstairs unloading flood bucket inventory into the wells room before entering the office to ensure we have the mission moment piece for the upcoming month …everybody around me was busy doing such good things meanwhile, I simply needed an idea to compose my weekly letter.

I yell from my office out to June, “I have nothing, I can't think of a thing to write in my weekly letter.” June yells back at me from the other room, the phone still hanging from her ear, fingers typing like a madwoman on the newsletter, and very calmly says “well then, just write you've got nothing.” I just started laughing out loud and then to myself because I realized how ridiculous I sounded.  Then Jesus spoke into my heart and He said “never tire of doing what is good” it's actually from 2 Thessalonians. There's also a similar scripture in Galatians 6, that scripture says “let's not grow weary of doing good for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” …well if that didn't convict my spirit, I just don't know what would!

Then Jesus sealed the deal! He laid this last and final clincher of a scripture on my heart “Hebrews 10:24- 25 “And let us consider how we can spur one another on toward love and good deeds, encouraging one another and all the more as you see the day approaching. “                                      

The truth was I was kind of tuckered out. It's been a long year for all of us here at the office and for, well the world in general. To be honest I didn't think I had it in me to do one more good thing that day. But, watching Donnie, Mary, June, Tom, Lori, and Avion all working so hard to carry out God's vision for our church, all of them tired and yet all of them doing the good works that God planned out for them…spurred me on. Their “good works” breathed a little fresh life into my spirit, giving me what I needed to finish the good work God had given me to do.

At that moment I could feel the words begin to trickle into my heart and then on to the paper. Alone, none of us could navigate this year that we have been in and not have moments where we were either too tired or too discouraged to do one more good thing. But we bring out the good in one another even when we don't think we have another ounce of energy left in us. Because of God’s love, together we can do anything! 

Thank you to a staff and a team that works tirelessly to sow good seeds of love and faith in the world around us. Thank you for church members who even when they are tired, never tire of doing good.

You are all an inspiration to me!

From the one “who had nothing “to the All who give everything!

You will never know how loved you are by me!
Pastor Nettie