The very word brings to mind images of disaster and temporary Red Cross shelters or refugees fleeing a hostile homeland. It can describe the experience of Israel, wandering 40 years in the desert while waiting to occupy the land of promise. 'Displaced' also describes what continues to be the case for so many in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. In short, being displaced simply means you're not at home.

Our church is in a period of displacement, if you will; though I must admit our circumstances are nothing like those described above. For some five months, we will occupy a temporary location in the village of Honeoye Falls-a 10 minute drive-while we our facility undergoes a facelift. It's our time to make our building more accessible and make greater use of the resources we have for mission and ministry.

It's a short displacement, but a big step for us as it means stepping out in faith to take on new challenges as a church. Our Vision as a congregation is to Welcome and Equip people for Christian Life and Discipleship. We strive for that vision, regardless of our location. We are working on new ways of reaching out to this community God has placed us in for this short time: carolling to residents & senior community residents, a youth advocacy program, fellowship opportunities for women, and more. There's much to be done while we're here, and even more to consider as we look forward to returning to. As I envision our displacement, returning home without having had an impact on the community is not an option. God brought us to this point - it's our task to make him proud. Likewise, as we return home, we go with a sense of what new ways God can work among us and through us to the people of our town as well as to our members & friends. Insanity has been described as 'doing the same things over and over and expecting different results.' On the other hand, God has taught us that 'faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the certainty of things unseen.' (Hebrews 11:1)

For all the troubles of being displaced, what drives many people is a sense of hope for what is to come: a rebuilt or new home, a new community, new faces and more. During Israel's displacement in the desert, God was with them the whole time. Moses recounted in Deutereonomy that even the soles of their sandals did not wear out! Jesus himself understands displacement well. For our salvation, he had to leave everything-the very throne of heaven-to come to earth and take our humanity and our sin upon himself. God cared enough not only to provide for our salvation in Christ, but to accomplish it among us as a person just like us. He did it that we might all look forward with hope and finally be at home

As you celebrate the holidays-at home or away-I pray God will bless you with a reminder of his presence in Christ and his promise of a new home to all who would follow him.

Pastor Smith