The new year is here. As with any new year, we have a clean slate to a whole new year to improve ourselves or take another stab at doing what we did not like about ourselves in 2019.

We are so blessed in Clark County and Winchester to have several denominations of churches to choose from. Not only do we have this in our community, but we also have clergy and lay people who work together for the betterment of our community. They all want make where we go to church and live a better place.

My pastor, the Rev. Farley Stuart, said he has been involved in many communities as he has preached the gospel but not any that has come together to work together as a group of clergy and laity the way this community does. For this, I am grateful.

He mentioned the community prayer meeting with our mayor where all the churches came together to pray for our community. Though he did not get to make the prayer meeting, he rejoiced in the fact that it was held.

Beginning this first Sunday of January, the churches and places of worship in our community have come together to speak on a series of messages related to being the church.

I feel sure there were many ways this united message was presented throughout the different services this past Sunday. These were a few of the ways Stuart presented our message about being the church to our congregation.

 First of all, the church is not a building where we meet but a movement. The people within that building is the church. In other words, we are the church. One of us inside that building is no better nor any less than anyone else in that church of people. We all have made mistakes in our lives. Though he did not say this we all will continue to make mistakes we just all need to strive to be better.

Everything the church represents can be the same for how we represent our community. The people make up our community of Clark County. Whatever we did wrong last year is behind us. We should focus on a clean slate this year. Each day is a new chance to make ourselves and our community better.

If you see T-shirts around town with “Be the Church” printed on them, then you know that person wants our community better and is trying to spread the word. The shirts may be purchased from most any church in our area for $10. The money will be used for the Upward youth basketball program where all children who want to play basketball can do so.

It is a great program for the youth of Clark County. It represents good sportsmanship and love of one another. The focus is not so much on how to win the game as teaching about sportsmanship.

There is always prayer before the games. From what I have seen, it is a great asset for our youth and community. Respect is shown there for one another. If we do not start with our youth, who will they learn from or what future does our county have?

As Rev. Stuart reminded us, we are to be the church at home, on the street, at work and at play. We are to be the church in all aspects of our lives. “Be the Church” is a good motto we can all strive to live by this year. Happy New Year everyone!

Sue Staton is a Clark County native who grew up in the Kiddville area. She is a wife, mother and grandmother who is active in First United Methodist Church and Towne and Country Homemakers.