In the traditions of my church, this is a week of change.

Pastors are shuffling to new locations, reporting to new assignments. Those who move enter into new communities, see new faces, learn new neighbors and regional rhythms.

In our Farmville area, we have a similar cycle, connected to the academic communities. Longwood University and Hampden-Sydney College, as well as our area schools attract new faculty each year, and we encounter a new neighborhood as these seasonal changes occur.

For those of you who are new to the Farmville area, welcome! We are delighted you are here.

We, your neighbors, are interwoven in neat and creative ways. We share opportunities for culture, entertainment, a rich regional history, performing arts, opportunities to explore, ways to serve the needs of others and venues to help you grow as a person as well.

As part of the family of churches in the area, let me also welcome you to grow in awareness of God, to discover God’s grace at work in our community and in your own life.

We live in an era when people have had varied experiences with churches in their past. Some have attended all their lives, others only recently. Some have had good experiences, others have been hurt or frustrated or grown bored. May I suggest that right now you find yourself at an opportunity for a fresh start?

As we hear in scripture, God is making all things new (Rev. 21:5). This includes us, as people of faith. From how we were before, God is helping us become more like Jesus.

So, come join with us in worship. Lend a hand as we serve others in our community in need. Let us get to know and treasure each other in the seasons ahead. As a collection of churches, we provide a variety of styles of worship and unique focal ministries.

Feel free to float around and visit with each of us, but aim toward becoming involved in one congregation regularly. Even if this is not a habit you have had before, I promise that you will blessed with new friends, opportunities to grow more aware of God, and aware of ways you can contribute to grace, mercy, justice and kindness in our world as we seek to walk faithfully with God. Join us!

REV. MICHAEL KENDALL is lead pastor of Farmville United Methodist Church. He can be reached at mkendall@farmvilleumc.org.