Pastoral note, from Garrett

Our “Blessed are the Peacemakers” Church Retreat was a huge success. Carrie Graham from the Church Lab was our guest speaker, and she did a great job leading us in learning how to build bridges. We had about 90 people on the retreat. See the pictures below.

The Woodland Anniversary Picnic is this Sunday, October 5, at 5 p.m. This year, Woodland celebrates its 36th anniversary. The deacons provide the chicken, and we ask that you bring a side or dessert. All are welcome. Invite a friend. 

My friend Victoria Robb Powers is preaching this Sunday. Victoria is the Senior Pastor of Royal Lane Baptist Church in Dallas. That’s my home church. Victoria also co-authored a children’s book with Cameron. Victoria and I do a pulpit swap each year. I preached at Royal Lane on September 7. 

The fall calendar has worked in such a way that I will be out of the pulpit for 3 weeks in a row. I will preach again next week… I hope. Somehow, I ended up with a 3-week preaching sabbatical. 

Nora Lozano and I were talking today, and she told me, “God doesn’t need our money, but we benefit when we are generous.” On October 12, we invite our entire church to take a step of faith together. We’re calling it ‘Try the Tithe Sunday.’ On that day, we’re asking each of us to give 10% of one week’s income. Tithing is a way we can establish the boundaries of “enoughness.” That’s a word I made up. 

‘Enoughness’ describes the state of recognizing that we have enough and that we are enough. It also sets a boundary—protecting us from chasing after restless versions of the ‘good life’ that only leave us hungry for something more substantial. Financial stewardship is about defining enoughness through our spending and giving habits. October 12 is about taking another step in that direction. 

Grace and peace, 

Garrett Vickrey