Dear friends, family, adherents, and members of Knox and St. Giles,

Summer has a way of reminding us that growth often happens quietly.  Seeds planted months ago begin to bear fruit, flowers bloom in their own time, and what once appeared to be ordinary soil becomes filled with colour and life.  Much of God’s work in our lives happens in the same way – not always through dramatic moments, but through the steady presence of the Holy Spirit shaping us day by day into the people Christ calls us to be.  We are invited to plant, to water, and to tend, while trusting that He is at work beneath the surface.  God’s grace is patient, and God’s presence never leaves us, even if we cannot yet see the results.

One of the gifts of our Christian faith is that we are never called to walk alone.  Through worship, prayer, Scripture, and fellowship, God knits us together into one body.  As our two congregations continue along this shared path, we are learning that the work of building relationships is not simply accomplished through meetings and decisions.  It happens as we pray for one another, greet someone we have not yet met, and look out for those who are carrying heavy burdens.  Through times of joy, uncertainty, fatigue, and hope alike, we continue to discover that God walks beside us always.

Thank you to everyone who continues to participate in our Tuesday study of God With Us, and those who faithfully serve in so many quiet ways throughout the week.  Your generosity of time, faith, and kindness is helping to shape the community God is calling us to become.  If you have not yet joined us, there is always more room at the table. 

Please gather with us for worship on Sunday at 10am; the bulletin is attached, with announcements and opportunities for fellowship and service.  Whether you come carrying gratitude, questions, grief, or anticipation, you are welcome.  Come to be renewed by God’s Word, strengthened through prayer, and nurtured by the presence of your brothers and sisters in Christ.  

Together we remember that our hope is not found in our own strength, but in the steadfast love of our Lord.  May God continue to bless this season of new beginnings with wisdom, courage, and joy.  

Blessings,

Rev. Chandra Mannix