This Week from Mitch

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Happy New Year!!! As I look back on the past year, one number keeps popping into my head: six tons. Over six tons worth of food was donated this past year through our Sunday offerings, two wagons at a time, pulled by children down the aisle, over and over and over again! On some Sundays, it didn't seem like much was in the wagons; on others, the wagons were not quite big enough. I will never forget two kids racing down the aisle with the wagons and crashing into the pulpit at full speed. The pulpit won't forget it either, as it now wears the scar with pride. The following Sunday, the same two children, obviously having been spoken to by their parents, pulled the wagons so slowly it felt like a funeral march. I laughed equally at both. Six tons! 

Doing little things right consistently, like bringing food one can at a time, adds up. I often feel like our spiritual lives are like this. One moment of prayer, giving thanks to God for the blessings of this life, adds a drop into your spiritual well. One drop after another, and the well becomes filled with living water that, without us even knowing it, gives us strength in times of challenge, gives us grounding in times of unsteadiness. 

As 2026 approaches, I give thanks to God for everyone who makes up the St. Martin's family. I also encourage each of you to take on a renewed spiritual practice. Whether it is a daily gratitude exercise or perhaps an effort to be more consistent in worship or in the reading of scripture. Whatever it is, I encourage you to take it on and be consistent with it. It does not need to be a lot. Just something simple and consistent, like the filling of our wagons, one canned item at a time. It might not seem like much, but over the year it can lead to something remarkable, like six tons. 

Happy New Year, my friends. Please know I am deeply grateful for all of you!

Peace,

Mitch