February 2025 Pastor’s Letter
Dear Friends,
Over the next month and beyond, we will feel the tug and pull of endings and beginnings, grief and uncertainty, hope and new life, goodbyes and hellos.
In December, I spoke of the need for reminders when we navigate seasons filled with endings and beginnings, we need reminders. We need words that can feel like steady ground, like a path for our feet to find as we step forward into the unknown. This Congregation is entering a sacred new chapter, holding fast to the reminders, memories and possibilities that we find when we journey ahead in the love of Christ.
On January 12th, a special Church Conference was presided over by our District Superintendent Rev. Wendy Hardin Hermann. By a unanimous vote, it was resolved that the land that located at 41W170 Russell Road, Plato Center, IL 60124 be sold and transferred, and that the net proceeds be distributed to Cornerstone United Methodist Church, as authorized by the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church. We will resolve our debts both with the Red Door Fund and the conference and then vote on a merger.
The NIC Cabinet supports the continued exploration of a merger between Cornerstone UMC and Journey of Hope, to strengthen our United Methodist witness. An additional Church Conference will need to be held, after the land and property sale, to determine a merger.
On February 2nd, Rev Jarrod Severing, lead pastor at Journey of Hope, will be with us in worship and a time of conversation will be held after worship.
On February 16th, Pastor Natarsha Gardner, the Skrzypchak family, and other musicians will lead worship at 10 am.
Our last Sunday worship service at Cornerstone will be February 23rd. There will be a time of pot luck fellowship after the service. The main dish and beverages will be provided, please bring a dish to pass.
We hope to see many friends in worship over the next few weeks. It has been an honor to worship with you.
As we journey through this season, may we find words of love and hope. May we find words for beginning again. For no matter what we are facing, no matter what this new day brings, love is our beginning, our middle, and our end - for God is love.
Pastor Melissa