As we continue exploring a sustainable path forward for All Saints to continue helping the people of Port Orange and East Volusia county to taste and see that God is so good, an image that keeps emerging is that of a tree! Like the song, “May this Church be Like a Tree” (ACS 1042), our continued prayer is that we “bear fruits of justice and acts of love and compassion.” In our communal discernment these past two years, you, the people of All Saints, have continued to insist that you are called to do ministry in and around the campus at751 Dunlawton Ave, in the heart of Port Orange. To be a tree, that grows with living water and provides fruit, shade, and a resting place, we need to update our infrastructure so that we can indeed continue to bear fruits of justice and acts of love and compassion.
At our congregation meeting in June, 2023 you encouraged your leadership team to explore building partnerships as a path to sustainable ministry at our campus. Since then we have been updating you on the opportunities that have arisen, especially with Able Academics, via the weekly email, monthly newsletter and through worship announcements.
As the permitt process is near completion and we are getting more complete bids to make the partnership with Able Academics and other community partners a reality, we need to update you on our progress. We need to offer a clearer picture of the final cost to complete the necessary upgrades to continue doing ministry with children and families at our campus. We will be having a congregation meeting June 16th during the 10:30am worship service to discuss more details. Please plan to attend.
Did you know that ASLC will celebrate 45 years of ministry in Port Orange and East Volusia County in December 2024. That is 45 years of inviting people to taste and see that God is good. That is 45 years of loving children and their families through our Sunday School Program, After School Program, Wednesdays Together and Scouting. Trees regularly need to be pruned, watered and fertilized to continue producing fruit, offering shade and providing a resting place. Investing in these building modifications is like tending a tree that needs some loving attention and stewarding. As I shared on Sunday, the task of getting these building modifications complete is daunting and yet God continues to be faithful! May God take the mustard seed that is All Saints and grow it into the “greatest of shrubs, a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” ~ Matthew 13:31-32.
In the love and peace of Christ, Pastor Kari