A letter from July 17, 2026

Dear Friends,

Can you remember the joy of making a wish and blowing on a dandelion as a child? Now that I am an adult, I realize scattering their seeds across my neighbors’ yards may not be the most neighborly activity, but the joy of watching the seeds dance on the wind as I think of my wish coming true is still hard to resist. On Sunday, we will turn to Paul’s letter to the Romans where he writes, “For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what one already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” Christian hope is something far greater than any wish. It is a gift from God’s Spirit, the ability to remember God’s faithfulness in the past and trust that God will keep God’s promises for the future. It lifts our spirits and keeps us grounded. As Emily Dickinson wrote, “‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers - That perches in the soul - And sings the tune without the words - And never stops - at all.”

In Christ,  Dr. Cameron Smith