Fall in Las Cruces is such a beautiful time of year. Lower temperatures give us many opportunities to enjoy being outdoors. Hiking is back on my “to-do” list. What a blessing and reason to give thanks to our Creator.
We had a fun hymn sing Sunday on October 6th. I collected your requests for hymns over a 2-3 week period and your selections taught me a bit more about who you are.
61 hymns were submitted. Some of you submitted only one hymn, but many of you submitted many more than one. Of the 61 hymns, eight had multiple votes. Two hymns received the highest votes of only four each. (In the Garden and It Is Well with My Soul.) Three hymns received three votes and four hymns received 2 votes each.
So often we think our favorite hymn is universally known and loved. The topic of music in the church – any church – is always a hot topic: Too old! Too new! Love it! Hate it!
What surprised me the most that out of the 61 hymns submitted, 43 of those selected reflected only ONE vote each. This tells me that each of you is fiercely independent. I’ve grown to know that about you from your varied passions and what you think is important.
I have also come to know that you do come together when it comes to deliberating what is best for First Christian Church and coming to a consensus on a topic. Deliberating in early 2019 whether or not to continue a full time ministry was just one of those areas I’ve witnessed you in that process in action since my time with you. You are independent yet careful and thoughtful and prayerful about the future of FCC.
During my time with you I have never stopped believing that there is incredible potential for FCC. Your voice is needed. Your caring and loving acts are needed. How First Christian Church models God’s presence in Las Cruces is vitally important in this community. It also makes a far reaching impact in the world.
Continue to be fiercely independent and continue to work on consensus for FCC. And continue your careful and thoughtful and prayerful discernment as you walk into the future, being assured that God walks with you.
Blessings,
Donna
