October 9, 2026

Hello, beautiful church!

Well, this Sunday I will be away, but you are in for a treat!

Our beloved Rev. John Livingston will be back in the pulpit, and I couldn't be more delighted. John is no stranger to GCCC, and I know how much he means to so many of you.

And he has something important to say to us this Sunday.

"What can I do?"

Have you ever asked yourself that question?

I certainly have.

We live in a complicated world. Sometimes the problems seem so enormous, the needs so great, and our individual ability to make a difference so small.

Where do we even begin?

John is going to invite us to consider that question through the lens of stewardship. And I love the two simple practices at the heart of his message:

Slow down.

Give back.

Now, those might sound like two very different things. One asks us to stop. The other asks us to do something.

But I wonder if they might actually belong together.

Maybe we need to slow down long enough to recognize what really matters before we can decide what we're willing to give ourselves to.

And what a timely question for us as we enter our second Sunday of our For Generations to Come Stewardship Campaign!

We have a big goal before us for 2027. And reaching it will take all of us—not all giving the same amount, but all considering what we can contribute to the life and future of this church.

Because the future of GCCC isn't something that somebody else is going to build for us.

It's something we are building together.

So I hope you'll be there Sunday. Come hear John. Come worship with your church family. And as you do, I invite you to begin thinking and praying about your pledge for 2027, if you haven't already made one.

I'll miss being with you, but I am cheering you on from afar!

And I cannot wait to hear all about Sunday when I return.

See you soon,

Maria