To the People of God on Cape Cod,

We have come to the end of another appointment year within the United Methodist Church. For all of those who attend regularly at the Harwich UMC, I would like to express my deep gratitude for your gifts and your faithfulness. God willing, I will be serving among you for another appointment year.

Society is moving out of the COVID experience. The United Methodist Church has entered into a renewed commitment to the present age. There have been changes in the discipline, and we are challenged to find ways to serve more effectively. Yet the needs of our community have not changed that much. How will we continue to testify that LOVE and Reconciliation mean that we must make health care, housing, and food more accessible?

Karl Young and I were at the New England United Methodist Church Annual Conference last week. As a People of Faith, Justice Issues and financial challenges are high on the agenda for our denomination. I am glad that we have made a commitment to participate fully [100%] in our Mission Shares at Harwich UMC. When every church in the Conference contributes its share, the Conference can fully fund the great “dreams and visions” of our annual meeting.

As we look forward to another year in ministry, we must allow the Holy Spirit to give us inspirational guidance as to how we can help prepare our Cape Cod community for the future. Future-looking people and institutions do not function with agendas of Survivalism. Future-looking people and institutions endeavor to continue growing and becoming more effective. For the Church, that means becoming better advocates of God’s vision of Wholeness in a broken world and Peace in human relationships.

I will be away the first two weeks of July and look forward to the coming year.

Prayers for our faith family and the many visitors to Cape Cod this season.
Pastor Dianne

 To the People of God on Cape Cod,

In the Northeast, May is a month of dramatic life.  I remember leaving for the hospital to have my daughter on May 15^th and returning home a week later, shocked by the colorful transformation of the world.  Our creator has programmed into the world colorful and dramatic reminders that the possibility of new life is always with us.

The challenges of the winters of our lives are not irreversible. The snows of January and February 2026 snapped trees, sheared off branches, and reminded us of our vulnerabilities. Yet here we are. 

When Methodists would gather at their annual meetings, the greeting  “Are We Yet Alive?” was set to music by Charles Wesley in 1749.   The hymn famously begins: “And are we yet alive, and see each other’s face? Glory and thanks to Jesus for his almighty grace!”   It acknowledges trials, such as “What troubles have we seen, what conflicts have we passed, fightings without, and fears within, since we assembled last”.  It is commonly used to reaffirm community and resilience in the face of challenges, celebrating that the church is still active.

My recent trip to Savannah reminded me of our long history as a community of believers.   I spoke to people of our denomination there and visited churches that are older than ours, boast having known John Wesley. Our creator has plans for us to continue to spread the Gospel “as long as we live” and in every season.  You and I are the ambassadors of peace, new life, and possibilities still to be revealed!  “Rise, O folk of God.”  And be God’s May people.

In love with the Lord and each of you,
Pastor Dianne, May 2026

Greetings to the People of God gathered in East Harwich,

Lent at Harwich UMC has been focused on the Journey of Faith and the concept of Pilgrimage. We set out with two new members to our faith family when Kevin and Becky joined our church on February 15^th!  Certainly, a joyful Transfiguration Sunday!

For over a month, we have been preparing ourselves to go the final mile toward Easter in the remembrance of Holy Week. 

The Way of the Cross in Holy Week begins in joyful celebration as Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday amid shouts of praise. It plays out the intimacy of a shared meal with the Institution of the Last Supper and Jesus’ example of servanthood and humility, washing the feet of His companions. The Way of the Cross walks through the Valley of the Shadow of Death with the arrest and interrogation of Jesus: the way of the world’s justice ends in the depths of despair as Jesus is executed for the sins of the world.

There is no justice and no hope in the death of innocent victims.

 Our Christian Hope is reborn in the Easter Resurrection.

Do not discard your walking stick! The Journey continues wherever we are, following Jesus. Jesus appeared to His followers to encourage them to become His witnesses in the world! You and I are Witnesses to a power greater than the powers of this world.

During this post-resurrection season, we have our path laid out before us as servants, as seekers, as testifiers to this Resurrected Jesus whom we follow.

Bien Camino!!
Pastor Dianne

Have you ever been on a Pilgrimage– of course you have! The journey of faith is a Spiritual journey – a pilgrimage of sorts.

Online, the definition is: A pilgrimage is a sacred, intentional journey to a holy site undertaken for spiritual transformation, devotion, or to fulfill a vow. Unlike a vacation, it focuses on inner renewal and often involves physical exertion and sacrifice, acting as a microcosm of life’s spiritual journey. Key elements include travelling to a significant destination, prayer, reflection, and encountering the divine.

Perhaps you are familiar with The Pilgrim’s Progress from This World, to That Which Is to Come. It is a 1678 Christian allegory written by John Bunyan. It is commonly regarded as one of the most significant works of Protestant devotional literature and of early modern English literature more broadly.

I understand that Rev. Yoo Cha Yi walked the El Camino de Santiago and perhaps shared her experience during her tenure at Harwich UMC. We will be structuring our Lenten experience around the 2010 movie with Martin Sheen called  The Way, and begin our Lenten journey this month with the Ash Wednesday Service on February 18^th at 5 pm. Famous people have walked the El Camino de Santiago, like Arthur Paul Boers, who shares his journey in The Way is Made By Walking

Of course, we need our walking sticks for the journey! Bring them with you to church! We hope to study and walk toward a more Holy life as God’s Easter People. Join us onThursdays at 2:30 beginning February  26^th  for our Lenten Study.

I would like to personally thank you for being the People God has called to serve the Present Age and journey into the Future with me.

Pastor Dianne

The Serenity Prayer is a thought for the New Year. We would all like more Peace of Mind – my definition of “Serenity.” By the end of the 20^th century, people were observing that change was occurring at an increasingly rapid pace. In one lifetime, nothing remained the same.   What to do? How to keep up? How to cope? 

The anchor in this fast-moving world of change is Faith in our Creator, who encourages us to be assured that Jesus is our Rock.  WE are loved – valued in our creator’s eye. Secondly, we have a source of Power To persevere. Finally, we are never alone. 

Whatever this New Year brings, you and I are Able – with the Power of God – to adapt, participate, and be Victorious, no matter what.

We are a Hopeful People because we worship a Mighty God. May All Your New Year’s Resolutions bring you a Sense of well-being.

Pastor Dianne

I would like to personally thank you for being the People God has called to serve the Present Age and journey into the Future with me.

To the People of God on Cape Cod

We have arrived at the brink of the Holiday Season… The Fall Fair, Thanksgiving, and Advent all fall this month! Our Annual Meeting was on November 1^st, and we were well represented at Northside UMC in Brewster.  News from the conference is that:

The New England Annual Conference is moving towards the cooperative parish model.  We first heard about this in Bishop Bickerton’s address to the annual conference. Attached, you will find a document titled “Why, What, How.” This document shares information on why we are moving towards this model, what it is, and how to implement it. This model will take a few years to develop. Not all cooperative parishes will be the same. 

Phase 1, or rather year one, was initiated in our church conference conversations. The goal is to connect, build, and strengthen relationships among our churches. Our purpose is to be the most effective witness for Jesus Christ that we can be in our communities. The Cooperative Parish model does not mean “Merging” churches. Our familiar and beloved sanctuary remains independent. The emphasis is on COOPERATION as we envision the communication and invitation to the world that is our mission.

Each member of the church family has unique gifts to share as Ambassadors of Christ. People everywhere are lonely. People everywhere are afraid. People need an anchor in these changing times. We have the love of Christ to offer to a world of people whom God loves, without exception. You never go anywhere empty-handed. You and I have an exceptional gift beyond measure to offer to people we meet: Friendship, hospitality, and the love of God!  This is the Good News:

God so loved the world that God sent God’s only Beloved Son, so that the world through Him might experience HOPE, JOY, PEACE, and LOVE!

As we journey into the new Christian year during Advent, plan to listen to God’s voice using the text: The First Advent in Palestine by Kelley Nikondeha.