Last weekend was my first "Harvest Weekend" here at Faith UMC. It started with the Harvest Dinner on Saturday night. People from the church and community shared a delicious pork roast dinner. Harvest weekend concluded on Sunday with Leaf-a-Palooza and the annual Harvest Party. It was fun to be part of these events that have a long tradition in our congregation. Stories were told about Harvest Dinners past and hopes for the future were expressed!

Then, Sunday evening, we celebrated the launch of our new Youth Group. Parents and youth gathered for information, prayer, games and food. This was, we hope, the first of many such gatherings! It was a wonderful beginning.

It strikes me that the balance we experienced last weekend ~ long time traditions along with brand new programs ~ is essential to any healthy congregation. We must find the balance between honoring time honored programs that work while being open to trying new things. We worship God who promises to make all things new. Honoring the past, living in the present, and anticipating the future with hope, let us seek to follow God's leading in everything we do!