A New Year to Build Relationships...

We have now entered the year 2014. Beginning a new year can be a time of excitement and a time of new opportunities and new things. Of course, there can be new struggles and challenges that may arise as we embark on a new year. As you begin the new year, it is important to build upon strong relationships with family and friends who will be there for times of joy and times of sadness. It is also important to build a relationship with God, the one who created us and gives us life, so that you may have security during both the good and the bad that the year may bring.

I encourage you as a new year’s resolution to strengthen the relationships with those who are close to you. Look for ways to become closer to your family and friends (and maybe even those you have lost touch with). Also, look for ways to become closer to the God who loves you and created you. Everyone is on different points in their spiritual journey. Some may have a strong faith, and others may have no faith at all. Whatever the case may be for you, I encourage you to examine where you are on your spiritual journey during this new year. If you are looking for a community of love and support on your faith journey, you are welcome to join us here at Bernardsville and Gladstone UMCs as we build our relationships with one another and with the God who revealed extravagant love for us in Jesus Christ.

May God bless you as you begin the journey of a new year!

Kyle Cuperwich is pastor of  Bernardsville and Gladstone United Methodist Churches, two faith communities with a long history of ministry to to Bernardsville, Gladstone and the surrounding communities.