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Hi everyone! I hope you’re enjoying these beautiful days and the latest round of blossoms in the flowers and trees which brighten up our neighborhoods. The vibrant green of the new leaves is a delight, too. Diane and I find that we can’t help but comment on the beauty around us as we drive from place to place. What a lovely city we get to live in! God is so good to us.

The last week of April brings spring blossoms. It also marks the first meeting of our new 2026 church Council, with new members joining after our AGM. (It’s hard to believe the AGM was only a few weeks ago—it feels like it’s been a long time.)

I’m very thankful for our Council—both last year’s team and the new group that will gather this coming week. They’re a wonderful collection of men and women who love the Lord Jesus, who are committed to our church, faithful, and willing to serve. And they really do work on our behalf: gathering for lengthy meetings each month, participating in other leadership committees that help the church to operate, preparing reports, reading materials, discussion questions and ideas by email and in various get-togethers both at church and elsewhere, interacting with staff, meeting with members, caring for folks with needs, modeling ministry in other ways. Praying faithfully for the church and its members—and I know they do pray, together and individually.

Our Council members are busy folks. And contrary to what people who are new to the church sometimes think, they don’t get paid a cent for all that they do! It’s simply offered out of love for Christ and love for His body. Well, they don’t get paid in money. There are other benefits to serving on Council. This group sometimes gets to hear more news about things God is doing at the church than others do, or at least they hear the news a little sooner. And, at least in my own experience, participation in Council helps to create bonds of friendship that extend well beyond the time spent serving together. I’m sure there is “treasure in heaven,” too!

I’m thankful for our Council members. I appreciate the good work they do. I value their friendship and support, and lean on their wisdom. I am grateful for their faithfulness when dealing with challenges as well as joyful tasks. We’re blessed to have such a wonderful team who are willing to carry the ball for us in matters that can’t be managed by a group of 200 people. I hope everyone understands how much their ministry means to us.

Please be praying for our Council, especially as they come together to form a new team next week. Pray that they will quickly gain a sense of mutual understanding and trust, that all will love and care for each other as we ought, that everyone will listen to God’s Spirit and to each other and learn to work together effectively. Pray that Council will have wisdom and a clear sense of God’s guidance as they deal with questions large and small. Pray that all will have time and energy for their tasks. Pray that they will be protected, both physically and spiritually, remembering that people entrusted with leadership tend to come under attack in our world with its many spiritual battles. Pray that all will have, and grow in, the heart and mind of Jesus, serving each other and the church as we would serve our Lord.

Oh, and if you think of it, don’t hesitate to say a word of thanks and encouragement to members of the team when the opportunity arises. Too often people in positions of responsibility hear many negative things and only very few positive ones, which adds to the load they carry. You may make them feel a bit awkward by saying encouraging things, but you’ll also add joy to their work. So by all means, support Esther, Richard, Mathilda, Lindsay, Sandra, Amber, Les, Tom, Kathy, and our Moderator Mary, with a word of encouragement as you’re able. (Thanks so much for the support you do give them, and for all the ways you encourage me and the rest of the staff team, too!)

I sometimes wish everyone in our church had the opportunity to serve on Council, because of the relationship-building and growth that comes with it. Of course, there is much to be gained from participation in other areas of leadership and service, too. May we all find just the right place where our Lord has gifted us to serve in this season.

On other fronts, this coming Sunday we’ll spend a little time thinking about what happens when relationships are not healthy. This week’s message comes from Genesis 4, where we get the infamous and discouraging story of Cain and Abel, who teach us that sin has poisoned relationships in families and elsewhere since the beginning of time. Fortunately, the passage also teaches us to be aware of some of the triggers that harm relationships. Hopefully it will nudge us all toward healthier interaction in our families and all the places we live together in community. If you’re wanting to read ahead, we’re specifically looking at Genesis 4:1-16.

That’s my news for the week. Hopefully we’ll see you on Sunday. Meanwhile, have a wonderful week, and enjoy those blossoms and the fresh foliage while we have them. Richest blessings!

—Pastor Ken