PASTOR’S COLUMN – June 2025

      “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now…”  Philippians 1:2-5

   Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

   Two years ago, when I began my ministry at FUMC, I offered these words in my first pastoral letter:

  “Hem your blessings with thanksgiving, lest they unravel.”

  Words that were true then and are true now.

   Far too often we forget to say thank-you for the amazing ways God is at work in our lives.  Sometimes we’re just so busy going about our days that we don’t even notice what we have received.  Other times, we do notice, but we just take the gift for granted. 

   Either way it’s wrong, and few things are more harmful to our souls. 

   So as my time of ministry at FUMC now draws to a close, I follow Paul’s example, born of his love for the members of the church in Philippi that he served: 

   By expressing thankfulness for the people God has brought into my life… All of you.

   On behalf of Irene and myself:

   Thank-you for these past two years.

   Thank-you for the love and faith you have shared.

   Thank you for times of worshipping together, studying God’s word together, simply being together.

   Thank-you for all your many expressions of support and encouragement.

   Thank-you for the opportunity to journey alongside you for a season.

   It has been a tremendous blessing to serve among you.   Scotch Plains will always be dear to our hearts.  Wherever the Spirit leads you, may God continue to bless you all, as you have so profoundly blessed us.

   Thank-you.

   In Christ,

   Rev. Clark Lynn and Irene Panagakos Callender