THE GIFT

Who doesn’t like to receive a gift now and then? Birthdays, and special holidays are usually marked with gift giving, with Christmas being the granddaddy of gifting holidays. These are times when we receive gifts in brightly wrapped packages with ribbons and bows on top. The value of these gifts vary depending upon the means of the giver, and whether the gift is inexpensive or fraught with economic overkill, we still tend to say it is the thought that counts.

We sometimes refer to one another as gifts. We say to those we love and appreciate, “You are a gift to me” or “You are a precious gift from God.” In doing so we remind one another that we value one another. Let me say then, with all of my heart, that you all are a gift to me, precious gifts from God. I am grateful for each and every one of you, and I am honored to serve as your Pastor.

Beginning April 1^st we of the Hope community have a very special gift to celebrate. Joan Shiels will join our staff as a part-time Associate Minister. She is already a gift, for Joan is full of love and life and the hope that is our namesake. But Joan is also literally a gift, for others have seen to it through special gifts that Joan is able to be with us for a year in this ministerial capacity. They are literally gifting Joan to Hope.

On April 15^th Joan will become Rev. Joan Shiels as we celebrate her ordination. On this day Joan’s title will change, but she will still be Joan, full of life and love, and hope. Congratulations Joan!

Let me say that Joan is a gift to me as well. We will share in ministry together here, complementing one another with our strengths and our weaknesses, for as Paul wrote to the church at (2 Corinthians 12:9), “I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” I have already seen this at work. It is one more thing for me to be grateful for.

We want to begin our ministry with grateful hearts. It is my prayer, indeed our prayer (Joan’s and mine), that the spirit of gratitude would so permeate our community that we would use few other words but “thank you” in the presence of one another. May we find every opportunity to celebrate one another as precious gifts from God, gifts given for the benefit of all, gifts to be shared freely, gifts that make evident the gracious and unconditional love of the One who is the Giver of all good gifts, and the One to whom I now give thanks, for each of you, and especially on this occasion, for Joan.

                                                                                                          Pastor Vance Toivonen