Trinity as an important resource for guidance, hope, and unity
On January 2nd, 2025, I had the distinct honor of participating in the Reorganization Meeting of our Township, Ewing. This was a moment of profound significance, as I was invited to offer both the invocation and the benediction during the gathering. This opportunity was not just a personal privilege but also a testament to the role Trinity United Methodist Church plays as a spiritual cornerstone in our community. It is heartening to see how different societal spheres, including our local administration, recognize Trinity as an important resource for guidance, hope, and unity.
The meeting brought together many distinguished individuals, including members of the Township Council, Mayor Bert Steinmann, and other notable personalities from New Jersey. To stand before such a gathering and lift our voices to God in prayer was a humbling experience that I will cherish deeply.
Moments like these remind us that our church’s mission extends beyond our walls. We are called to be a pivot in Ewing, a beacon of light and hope, serving not only our congregation but also the broader community. This event served as a reminder of the sacred duty we have to pray for those in leadership, asking for divine wisdom as they navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Below are the words I shared during the meeting:
Invocation
Gracious and loving Divine,
We gather this day with gratitude for the gift of community and the shared responsibility of leadership. As we mark this moment of renewal for Ewing Township, we ask for Your guidance and blessing upon this assembly.
Inspire us to be caretakers of justice, advocators of equity, and builders of peace. Let the decisions made here today reflect not only wisdom but also compassion, ensuring that all the voices are heard and honored. May our actions serve to uplift every resident, regardless of gender, race, faith, identity, or station in life.
In a world too often divided, grant us the courage to break down walls and build bridges, to seek understanding where there is conflict, and to sow seeds of hope where despair threatens to take root.
Teach us to lead with humility, to serve with integrity, and to love without limits. Bless the leaders of this township with clarity of mind and steadfast hearts as they work to create a community where dignity, opportunity, and belonging are not aspirations but realities for all.
May this gathering and the work that follows reflect our deepest calling: to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly together toward a future of shared abundance and grace. Amen.
Benediction
As we prepare to leave this gathering, may we go forth with renewed commitment to justice, equity, and compassion.
May we carry the wisdom shared today into every corner of our township, striving to create a community where all are seen, all are heard, and all are valued. Let our hands be steady in the work of building bridges, our voices courageous in speaking truth, and our hearts open to those who are most in need of care and advocacy.
May we remember that our strength lies in our diversity, our hope in our shared humanity, and our future in our collective action. As we walk together, may we sow seeds of kindness, cultivate the fruits of fairness, and nurture the bonds that unite us as neighbors and partners.
Now, with the courage to challenge injustice, the humility to listen deeply, and the resolve to serve all people with dignity and love, go in peace, hope, and grace. Amen.
I am grateful to God for the opportunity to represent Trinity United Methodist Church in such a meaningful way. May we continue to shine as a spiritual resource and a pillar of support for all those around us. Let us keep praying for our leaders and our community as we journey together into 2025.
In Christ,
Rev. David Gaitan – Pastor
