Say Amen Somebody!
The season is changing, and God is still at work. The crisp air of fall carries with it not only the turning of the leaves but the beginning of a new Christian Education year. These moments call us to lift our voices in faith and say “Amen”—an affirmation that, even in uncertain times, God’s promises remain sure. Life may feel unpredictable, but our response is rooted in trust. We do not have to deny our fears or uncertainties; instead, we affirm together that God is present, steady, and calling the church to move forward with courage and hope.
The ebb and flow of the season mirrors the times in which we live—days of joy mixed with days of great uncertainty. This past Sunday’s lectionary text, Psalm 91, has long been one of my go-to passages when I feel afraid. Fear is real, though we often hide it behind brave faces. Yet fear is not the opposite of faith. It is the honest recognition that life is uncertain, confusing, and at times overwhelming. These are indeed strange times—but not unfamiliar to the people of God.
And so, these are the times when the Church is called to prayer. In the Jewish community, Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the High Holy Days—a season of reflection, self-examination, and renewal. Other faith traditions also see fall as a time to reset, refocus, and realign with what matters most. For us, this season is an invitation to recommit ourselves to God’s work in the world.
I remember, as a pastor, the joy of welcoming the community back into the rhythms of fall ministry: the blessing of bookbags, prayers for teachers, the blessing of children, “Homecoming Sunday,” recommissioning Sunday School teachers, electing new officers, and beginning new member classes. The church felt alive and renewed. These things happened alongside the struggles of the wider world, yet congregations always found ways to strategize their responses and remain open to the Spirit’s leading.
Today, as the Synod of the Northeast turns the page into a new church year, we hold both the challenges before us and the hope that anchors us. The world continues to shift in profound ways—socially, economically, and spiritually. Yet as people of faith, we are called to meet this moment with courage rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Gospel compels us to proclaim good news to the poor, release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and freedom to the oppressed (Luke 4:18). In a time when division and uncertainty dominate, the church must embody a counter-witness—standing firmly for justice, mercy, and truth.
In this new year, the Synod recommits to nurturing leaders, equipping presbyteries, and resourcing congregations. Together, we are called to be a living expression of Christ’s body in the Northeast—creating space for silenced voices to be heard, for innovative ministries to grow, and for the church to demonstrate what it means to be salt and light.
Courage does not mean having all the answers. It means trusting the One who goes before us. Courage is stepping into new models of ministry, addressing poverty and injustice, engaging in hard conversations on race and reconciliation, and seeing our congregations not only as they once were, but as they are becoming.
As we enter this new church year, may we do so with hearts open to the Spirit, hands ready to serve, and voices ready to proclaim: Christ is our hope, our strength, and our guide. Together, we move forward—courageously, faithfully, and with a clear stand for the Gospel that continues to transform lives and communities.
And the people of God said, Amen.
Rev. Ashley