Pastor's Note
A word from Reverend, Mark Buenafe, Senior Pastor

During this season of Lent and Easter, there is a more intentional announcement to invite others to participate in the ministries of this church. Besides the well- known Big Sundays of Easter, Mother's Day and Father's Day, we are blessed to have special Sundays that feature unique aspects to show guests and one another our best. These include the Sacrament of Holy Communion, Life Celebration and the music ministries like the Chimes Choir and the Open Hearts Bluegrass Band, and of course, the blessings of fellowship time and food.

Yet, beyond these celebrative aspects of worship and our small group gatherings, also know that a point of invitation is meeting people where they are at, as we are at. By that I mean being able to share our vulnerabilities tied in with our God who knows where we are at and invites us to be in relationship to be comforted, to hope, to be strengthened and encouraged, and to be loved. This is our 'why' we still engage as Church in ministry.

Encouraging the opportunity to invite for this Spire newsletter I have gone beyond giving a monthly Sunday schedule of ministries, like Communion and Life Celebration, to messages planned. For this April 2025 Spire edition, I have included the whole quarter (April-June) of Sunday ministry. Reflecting on what is planned, this is, in essence, my 'last hurrah' in giving what I can in being your pastor these next months. I look forward to some neat Kairos moments coming up.

Besides Sunday, this also includes our ongoing weekly ministries both group discussion and music related. I have also been blessed with invitations from Rotarians to personally connect as I also transition out from the Rotary Club of Mariposa-Yosemite.  Realizing that pastoral ministry is not just to and for the church, but includes the larger community, I am also hoping and preparing to provide helpful transition for the new pastor that is yet to be publicly announced. DS Mary is working hard to network and find your new pastor. Please pray earnestly for this process.

So, for now, ministry does and will continue. This means being blessed of enjoying the clock-work routine of Sunday worship experiences and the regularly scheduled functions and meetings of the church while also being creative of improving what is while trying/reviving new things. Included with this for me are the intentional expressions of gratitude for the times and ministry together; savoring them with you as we make more Kairos moments.  We can do this courageously and confidently because God is always with us.  Let us fervently pray for God's leading in both what to do and who to be as God's Church.  Rejoice, be grateful, continue to give kindness, share God's Love and Hope.  We go the distance with God always with us.

By God's grace,
Pastor Mark