Letter to the Congregations: 5th September 2026

Our dear brethren,

I sat down on my favorite chair and took a slow breath. The phone call I had just finished was a very heavy and emotional call. As soon as I had finished breathing out again the phone in my hand began to ring again. This time a call from someone else. When I talk on the phone sometimes I like to stand up and pace between rooms in our apartment. If I’m out and about I continue walking. This sometimes helps me think and take in whatever it is the other person is saying. That day I did a lot of pacing from room to room because every time I sat down the phone would ring again. (To clarify I don’t mind phone calls and do generally have plenty of time for them).

There are certain seasons of the year that are more busy than others. The summers for me are also usually filled with plenty of activities: camps, visitors, international travel, coordinating whatever comes next. The months and weeks leading up to the festivals of God are also one of those times. This year it seems like the two time periods are intertwined as we transition from the summer months (June, July and August in the northern hemisphere) and the fall when the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles arrive. For some reason, even when I get a quiet moment, I find it challenging to put everything aside, to relax, and to quietly pray and meditate on the word of God.

Unless we live in a very isolated place, and even then, since we are so interconnected through technology, we increasingly find ourselves surrounded by noise. And many times everything seems urgent and important. The writers of the Bible describe meditation in particular as quietly thinking, pondering deeply over a period of time rather than rushing about and having to make quick decisions. Not being able to take the time to think, to meditate calmly, to bring our needs to God in prayer can lead to frustration, to anxiety, and to more difficulties slowing down and contemplating the plans and will of God.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:6-9).

As one busy season transitions to another, I’m personally planning to make an effort to take the time to relearn how to meditate on the word of God, and to pray to my Father in calmness, knowing that He will help me to find the peace I need no matter what is happening in life. May we all be able, with God’s help, to find that peace and to continue to meditate and pray, diligently seeking our Father’s will in our lives.

Our love is with you,

Lewis VanAusdle

Pastor, United Church of God

NYC, NJ, CT, Malawi, Zimbabwe