Herald Newsletter

A Message from the Moderator

First-Plymouth’s LOVE carries us through it all

Mission to increase the love of God and neighbor remains our north star

The past year brought us the pandemic, protests and politics writ large—strong headwinds for any individual or business or church. First-Plymouth’s ‘north star’ – LOVE—has led us forward, courageously and gracefully through this ‘time in the wilderness.’

As we start to emerge into a more normal time, I wanted to provide some perspective on the past year.

We found a way to keep spreading the word and spreading the love. Here is a partial list of some of our collective accomplishments:

• Easter Sunday online views totaled 40,000

• Livestream services and media production creativity has evolved enormously and has drawn people from all over the world

• Our sacred music videos are being used by churches across the globe and those videos on YouTube have attracted 5 million views over time

• The “Love Looks Like This” Christmas gift to the community raised approximately $36,000 for CEDARS

• Online participation in Bible study remains strong

• Children and Youth programs continue to thrive with strong participation

• A new minister, Juan Carlos Huertas, is joining the clergy team in August to help shape our mission-driven work in the community

• Pledges of financial support are not down and the strength of your support is allowing us to plan for a vibrant year ahead.

This doesn’t happen without great leadership and staff talent. Our pandemic year can be summed up in this quote from Jim Keck:

“The fact that our spiritual light as a congregation is attracting and helping so many people who are seeking a positive community of faith, especially in these challenging times, indicates to me that this timeframe is a real opportunity for spiritual growth. Rather than being weakened by this circumstance, we are finding greater strength together. It’s amazing and very heartening.”

A few years from now, what we won’t remember about the year of the pandemic is as important as what we will remember. We won’t remember the anxiety as much as we will remember the Carillon in the Car concerts, the online music events, the Zoom sessions.

We will remember the creative livestream worship sessions that have led to our ministry of love being shared with souls globally. We will remember that our mission to increase the love of God and neighbor led us forward and became a catalyst for deepening our faith, strengthening, not weakening, our connection with each other.

We will remember the love. Always.