Candice's Comments

God's Spirit is moving amongst us! Multiple congregations have responded to the sign in the church yard, interested in nesting with us. The season of Lent has begun with its emphasis on prayer and Bible Study as we journey toward the cross of Good Friday and the joy of resurrection on Easter morning. And Bill and I are preparing to celebrate a significant anniversary.

Capitol Hill's Nesting Committee of Diana Collins Pallwitz, Erica Voll, Bill Brown, Jeff Kerns, and I have met with the pastors and leaders of Mt. Calvary Ministries of Hope Baptist Church to explore how the two congregations might glorify God by sharing the use of church building space. How will we be used to fulfill God's purposes? It will be exciting to see what God has in store for us and the Mt. Calvary congregation!

The season of Lent began on Ash Wednesday, February 22. We gathered for a potluck meal, Communion, and Service of Ashes receiving ashes on our bodies as an acknowledgement of our sin and mortality. During this season of spiritual preparation, we recall the whole life, teaching and ministry of Jesus. There are forty days plus six Sundays in Lent. These forty days call us to examine our lives, repent of our sins, and renew our covenant with God to live Christ-like lives.

Bill and I were married December 22, 1972, at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Harrisonville, Missouri. Little did I know 40 years ago how difficult it would be to celebrate our wedding anniversary each year with the date being during Advent and so close to Christmas. Since 2012 is our 40th year, we decided it was the time to do something special and there was no real reason to wait until December; we could celebrate anytime in 2012.

And that's exactly what we are going to do. May 25-June 3 we are going on an Alaskan cruise. This cruise is extended as an offering of the Senior Adult Ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Florida. We will have Bible study and worship services on board when the ship is "at sea". We will celebrate Pentecost Sunday, May 27, by worshiping with Disciples from around the country on board ship, surrounded by the beauty of Alaska.

We look forward to seeing and enjoying this piece of God's beautiful world and are grateful for the gift of vacation time granted in which to do this. Time will be spent in the coming months developing a plan with the Elders, Growing in Faith Committee and Board President to make sure that the ministry of Jesus Christ through Capitol Hill continues in its faithfulness.

God's Spirit is moving amongst us! We are being called to be good stewards of our building by sharing, of our lives through prayer and reflection, and of our world in appreciating the beauty of God's creation. God's Spirit is moving.

Blessings,

Candice