It is good finally to sit in this chair after a relatively long period of discernment and decision making.  My family and I have begun to settle into our new home and to reorient ourselves to the community of Davis.  We want to thank all who extended their hospitality to us in our first two weeks here by providing dinners for us (that we initially had to eat off of boxes because we couldn’t get to our new table).  As I’ve told many of you, it is a bit surreal to return to my hometown, but at the same time, there is something very comfortable and almost natural about preaching at LCI, in a sanctuary I’m familiar with, to faces, many of which I recognize.  Some of you have told me about connections to your family or friends that I wasn’t even aware of.  Others are newer.  My primary agenda over the next few months is to get to know the congregation, which means getting to know all of you much better.  I would welcome one-on-one time with any of you who desire it, whether in your home, or over coffee or lunch.  My office is also always open for questions, comments or concerns that you have about your personal faith life, or about the ministries we undertake together at LCI.  My office hours most weeks are Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

I am excited about the ministry opportunities that present themselves to us here in West Davis.  Part of my job will be to present a staffing model that will best equip us for the ministry to which God is calling us in our time and place.  We are interviewing youth ministry candidates now, and are looking to see where God is leading us in this ministry.  I would ask for your prayers for the well being of our fellowship of faith.  In this season of Lent, I wish you all God’s richest blessings as we move in our journey closer to the cross and empty tomb, the heart of our faith.  May God bless our congregation and our mission in the community, as together we discover exactly what that looks like.

See you in church,

Pastor Dan Smith