Monthly Newsletter from Pastor Dawn
July 2026
Greetings Advent Lutheran Church Family,
As we celebrate our country’s independence, I invite you to also celebrate what it is about
Advent LC that keeps you coming back. I’m leading this newsletter with the ending of the last:
…growing a church is a slow, steady, process…YOU are the church, I am blessed to be your
pastor. Together, we grow and change. “They will know us by our fruit.” Matt 7:20
As we make decisions, I invite you into a time of prayerful consideration as to what and how you
would like to use your gifts to help grow, enliven, and enjoy your church.
It is now the beginning of my second year here, and also where we begin to have some honest
conversations about the direction Advent LC would like to go. This is not a pastoral decision. It is
discussed and decided upon by the membership. The pastor then begins the organizing, processing,
facilitating, funding, and collective action to help us achieve our vision and goals.
Last year, the Council decided the most important next step was to “increase fellowship
opportunities to strengthen our sense of congregational belonging.” I am thrilled to tell you we have
achieved this goal and there is electricity and spark flowing throughout our church and in the ways we
show up in our community. What will be our focus this year?
This is a more serious newsletter, friends, because Advent LC is at a crossroads.
We have to pick a focus. We are doing wonderful things in multiple areas. We are known as a friendly
church but we are NO longer the only affirming church in Rutherford County. We are, however, the
only ELCA Lutheran church. Therefore, we need to dedicate our efforts in a direction that sets Advent apart and sparks interest for folks to visit and hopefully join.
The options to expand are many but you need to decide how you would like to grow. A thriving
church does not count “butts in the pews” as Bishop says. Likewise, growing a church is not the sole
work of the Pastor, it is a collective and collaborative effort. We did a great job restabilizing. It is now
time to shift forward and focus on creating and revitalizing our ministries. To draw a more clear picture:
Over 35 members are 65+ retired, seniors, still working – and we have no senior programs
We have homebound, college, young adult, and singles – and we have no programs
We host Lavender Closet Project, Narcotics Anonymous; support Nourish Food Bank, Cold
Patrol, Hobgood Elementary, Blessing Box and we have no interaction with the people beyond
donations and occasional volunteering.
It is time for some revisioning. Advent will not grow without it.
It begins with you asking yourself “what do I need from my church?” and “why do I keep
coming back to Advent LC?” (instead of another church). As we move toward RIC conversations and a
vote, the Council and the congregation will also need to be in discernment about a direction for growth.
Please connect with me, I look forward to hearing your ideas. Be on the lookout for zoom chats.
Peace and blessings,
Pastor Dawn