Dear siblings in Christ,

July–September felt like a sacred season of renewal—a reminder of how good it is to be home in a community God has anchored in love. Your prayers, presence, and generosity are steady gifts. Thank you.

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“Welcome In: Finding Our Way Home” shaped our fall. We give thanks that Patricia Lambert found a church home among us and that Sarah Stivers reconnected with her childhood congregation. We celebrated the baptisms of Brooks Hart Harryman (fifth generation at APC) and Isabella Kathryn Marino (fourth generation).

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We’re grateful for new leadership and fresh energy. Our student-led youth leadership team has stayed united and active. With interim support from Michael Harper, we’ve seen strong participation (18 at the first fall gathering; 16 at the second) and more youth stepping into worship leadership with courage and joy. Rally Day brimmed with gratitude for community, and our intergenerational Sunday School gathered children, parents, and grandparents side by side. Robert’s expanded role, which includes preaching, continues to enrich our Sundays. Our church manager role will soon more fully support weekly communication, weddings, and receptions. Last week, we offered a heartfelt thanks to Kathie Carman for 16 years among us—her faithful service has been a steady harbor.

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When headlines churn and personal seas get rough, APC is a place to find sanctuary and purpose. Here we worship God who welcomes all, nurture faith across generations, and serve neighbors longing for hope and belonging. This is why our stewardship theme matters: a safe harbor only shelters people when the lights stay on, the lighthouse is tended, and the crew is equipped.

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A note on staffing and costs

After careful discernment, the Session and Personnel Team have decided not to call another Associate Pastor at this time. That choice preserves flexibility in a changing season. It does not reduce our need for strong, stable funding. To sustain ministry at the level our congregation expects, we are carrying higher ongoing costs, including:

• Expanded hours and responsibilities in existing roles covering preaching, pastoral care, youth support, communication, weddings, and hospitality.

• Rising health insurance and benefit costs for staff

• Increased facilities costs (repairs, utilities, insurance) as we steward an aging building used throughout the week.

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Because of these increases, we’re asking every household to consider an increase in your pledge for 2026. Even a modest step, multiplied across the congregation, makes a difference.

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Your pledge—of any size—helps us:

• form children and youth in faith,

• deepen spiritual life for adults,

• open our doors wide to the wider community,

• and sustain this sacred place for those yet to come.

We give thanks for what God is doing among us—and for each of you. Your generosity, participation, and prayer keep this congregation anchored in love and launched in mission. Thank you for considering a faithful, joyful increase in your pledge for the coming year. Together, we will keep welcoming in, building up, and reaching out.

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With gratitude and hope,

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Tara and the Stewardship Team