A Reflection from Pastor Laura

Dear Oneida Family,

January arrives carrying the tender promise of new beginnings. New calendars. New hopes. New intentions. There is something sacred about a fresh start.

But here is the good news we need to remember— you never have to wait for January to begin again.

Grace does not run on the calendar.

Whenever we stumble, grow weary, or drift off the path, Jesus is already standing at the door, ready to welcome us home. There is no “too late” in the kingdom of God. There is only the gentle invitation: “Come back. Walk with me.”

Lately, I have been thinking about a group of Buddhist monks who are walking from Texas to

Washington, D.C., carrying a message of peace. Their quiet faithfulness has touched people from many walks of life—those of many faiths and even those with no church home at all. They remind us that small, steady acts of goodness can speak louder than words.

It made me wonder—what are we willing to do?

Not in grand gestures... but in faithful ones.

As I write this letter, I am reminded of someone I recently learned from through my ministry. She showed me, in quiet and faithful ways, what it truly means to love through action. You don’t just say you care — you do something. Her life was a gentle reminder that love does not have to be grand to be powerful, expensive to be meaningful, or loud to change the world. It is the little things that truly change people’s lives — a kind word, a meal, a prayer, a listening ear, a helping hand. These are seeds of grace that grow far beyond what we can see.

February brings Valentine’s Day, a season that celebrates love. But as followers of Jesus, we know that love is bigger than cards and candy. We are called to love our neighbor as ourselves. To love the stranger. To love even our enemies. Love that heals, love that notices, love that chooses compassion again and again.

And as we move toward Ash Wednesday on February 18, we are gently invited into a holy season of reflection—remembering who we are, whose we are, and how we are called to live. Lent begins not with guilt, but with grace. It is not about being perfect—it is about being honest, humble, and open to becoming more loving.

Oneida Family, you already live this quiet, faithful love in so many ways. You show up. You pray. You care. You notice. You serve. You choose kindness even when the world feels heavy.

May these winter months be filled with holy rest, renewed courage, and many small acts of love that quietly change the world.

With gratitude and hope,

Pastor Laura