Message from Pastor Philip

From Pastor Philip’s Pen

Greeting, friends! To all of our year-round members, I hope you are enjoying this beautiful Arizona weather. And to our friends returning from the North - we’re glad to see you! I hope you, too, are reinvigorated by this season that reminds us why so many love living in the Valley of the Sun.

It always amazes me that we live in such a flip-flop envi- ronment. While much of the country is raking leaves, checking roofs for leaks, and preparing for months of snow and cold, we are stepping back outside - walking, gardening, and coming alive again.

An important part of being alive in God’s kingdom - and being a member of the family of Christ - is connection. Many you who have been Methodist for a long time know the phase “We are a connectional church”. This means United Methodist congregations support one another and share resources locally, regionally, nationally, and even intentionally.

But connection is not only something that happens “out there” at higher levels of the denomination. The most important connection happens right here—between each of us. Sometimes it’s in person. Sometimes it’s through email, a phone call, or a card.

Desert Chapel has been on a very intentional mission this past year to connect and reconnect, and it has been a joy. We’ve gathered for Third-Sunday donuts and coffee, month- ly bingo afternoons, potlucks, and many moments of fellow- ship. And our connection doesn’t stop at the doors of the church. This fall, a dedicated team of volunteers represented Desert Chapel at the Apache Junction Fall Festival, interact- ing with literally thousands of children and adults - being the face of Christ and the warm welcome that each of you demonstrates every Sunday.

We also continue to connect with our community through the Community Feast, the Clothing Closet, and during the summer months, the Heat Respite Program. These ministries are living signs of God’s love right here in Apache Junction and East Mesa.

In biology, we often say that people stop growing physically in their late teens or early twenties. But this does not hold true for our spiritual lives. Christ calls us to grow spiritually throughout our entire life - without ceasing. And part of that growth is learning to connect and reconnect, not only with old friends, but also with new neighbors and new faces. At the very least, we offer a smile, a handshake, and a listening ear. And when the moment is right, we invite others into the community of faith at Desert Chapel.

For all the studies, textbooks, and marketing theories about engagement, nothing is more powerful than person-to- person connection.

Each of you - whether you are here year-round, seasonally, or worship online - is valued, loved, and an important part of our family. I invite you to use this season of growth and re- newal in the Valley of the Sun to connect with new people. Be intentional. Make it part of your already full schedule to practice the ministry of presence: pause, smile, listen and reach out.

You won’t regret it.

With grace and peace, Pastor Philip

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