Good morning on this beautiful October day!

Fall has arrived with its rich shades of brown, red, and orange, cooler mornings, and warmer afternoons. The trees are shedding their leaves, creating a vibrant new carpet, reminding us that life is always changing. I love the change of seasons here in Central Ohio because it reminds me that life is not stagnant; there’s a gentle flow of transformation that happens each day.

As we’ve been praying the Breakthrough prayer, small but significant changes are happening, both inside and outside our building. When we pray, we don’t expect things to remain static. We pray with anticipation, trusting that God’s Spirit is moving and creating change among us.

If you come to the building this Sunday—or anytime before—you’ll notice a small but beautiful transformation in our Gathering Space, the area just before entering the Sanctuary. The walls have been freshly painted, brightening the room and making it feel more open and welcoming. This space, where so many of us gather before and after worship, now feels more airy and inviting.

As we continue to work on this space, we will take the time to carefully place things back in an intentional and cohesive way. Much like in our homes, church spaces can easily become cluttered. So, with each item, we are being mindful, creating a space that not only feels orderly but clearly communicates the heart of our ministries and mission.

I’m excited for our Gathering Space to become a place of welcome, gathering, and connection—not only to one another but also to the mission and ministries of our church!

I’m also excited to announce that our next Sylvia Vance Concert will take place in the Gathering Space on Sunday, October 27th at 4 p.m., set in a relaxed, coffeehouse style! Jenny Morgan will be sharing her wonderful music on the guitar, and we’ll enjoy coffee and baked goods together. Please invite your friends and family to this intimate and lovely concert.

If you’re looking for a way to serve and connect with members of our community who live in Westerwood, we are still seeking volunteers for the Transportation Ministry Team. This role involves a once-a-month commitment to help pick up or drop off our dear folks. If you’re interested, please respond to my email.

Our WARM Workday will be held on Saturday, November 2, from 10:00 a.m. to noon. This is a great mission activity for anyone aged 5 and up! Join fellow Church of the Master members as we sort food donations at our local food pantry. Tasks include checking expiration dates, grouping canned goods by type, counting, and boxing them. Meet at 150 Heatherdown Dr., Westerville, OH 43081. Please contact Tiffany McGinnis at tifft_23@hotmail.com to RSVP.

We are continuing to collect funds to support those affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton through UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief). If you’d like to contribute, you can use the envelopes provided in the pews or follow the link below.

Lastly, don’t forget that this Sunday is Children's Sabbath, and our wonderful kids will be leading us in worship. There will be only one service at 10 a.m., so come and be prepared to receive the love and joy of Jesus through the voices and hearts of our children.

May the peace and grace of Christ Jesus bless you now and always.

Pastor Katya