Lighthouse Letters

A Message from Brooke

Happy New Year, Lighthouse grown-ups! 

I hope you and your people enjoyed the holiday season! And as January ticks along, we are right back at it, aren’t we?! Amazing how quickly the little breaks come and go, and the idea of “rest” falls by the wayside.   

At Village, I love our January tradition of “star words.” On Epiphany each year, the stars are printed, handed out and chosen at random by folks (without being able to see the word). A deeply held belief by many is that this word “chooses you” for the year. Many of us believe the Holy Spirit is interwoven into this word and it just might hold some sacred learning for the year ahead. (If you didn’t get a word yet this year, we still have many to give out!) 

What does 2026 have in store for you? Do these January thoughts, resolutions and/or intentions give you energy and enthusiasm or wear you out? (I’ve found myself on different sides of that coin in various years.) I’m sure most of us can relate. 

As I look towards 2026, I’m excited and grateful to continue my learning at seminary. My second semester starts at the beginning of February. I’m also jazzed about the coming year because of a new little adventurous purchase. I’ve been looking at little campers (travel trailers that you pull behind your car) for many, many years. For my 50^th birthday a couple years ago, my awesome brothers said they were gifting me a camper…but I had to pick it out. BEST GIFT EVER!!!  (Unfortunately, soon after that, my brother, Chace, was diagnosed with ALS and we lost him just over a year later. Needless to say, the camper moved to the far back burner.)   

My other brother, Tyler, and I resumed looking a few months ago and we finally found the perfect fit! This takes me back to January thoughts and intentions. As I approach empty nesting (my youngest daughter is a senior in high school), my intentions are shifting. My at-home pace is slowing down a bit (no more carpools). I’m into bird watching and plants…just wait, it will happen to you too!!! 😊 I’m happily purging so many things we don’t need anymore. I’m ready to have less stuff, get back to nature, slow down and just “be.” I want to explore our amazing National Parks as well as nearby lakes to paddleboard, trails to mountain bike and paths to hike. 

Since I was a little kid, all my favorite things to do with my brothers were outside—playing in the mountains, snowboarding, pickle balling, shooting baskets, hiking and biking. My deepest hope for my camper adventures is that I will experience many “Chace moments.” Listening to music, enjoying a campfire, cooking s’mores and becoming one with nature feel like a great path to some epic “bro time.”

What are you looking forward to in 2026?  I’d love to hear about it!!! 

Blessings to you and your sweet families, 

Brooke 

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Upcoming Events

COFFEE & CONVERSATION: 10-11 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 7. Join us on the first Wednesday of each month for gatherings of Christians learning more about love from world religions with pastor, life coach and founder of Compassion Fix, Ginger Rothhaas. Each gathering will be an introduction to the faith where we will: explore the compassion teachings offered, honor the significance of their holy days and origins of their sacred texts, become aware of the roles of women in the faith, consider what the religion believes happens when we die, and understand how each faith helps people with being human. The order in which the religions will be presented is based on oldest to newest in the dates of origination or formation of the faith. Christianity will be woven in and honored each discussion as well, and in the timeline, Christianity’s formation falls between Buddhism and Islam. The intent of these gatherings is to foster a greater understanding of others, appreciate how we all need something to believe in, and grow in our compassion for the shared human experience. Childcare is available by emailing .

WEDNESDAY FAMILY DINNERS: Join us for Wednesday Family Dinner from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Friendship Hall. Register now to reserve your spot!

OPEN PLAY TIME – 9-noon, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Grownups and their littles are welcome to come play in the kid nook in our Young Adult Room until noon. Grab a coffee while you’re there!

VILLAGE PRESCHOOL ENROLLMENT: Mark your calendars for our Village on Mission Preschool enrollment!
Important dates for enrollment: (all dates begin at 8:30 a.m.)
Jan. 20: Enrollment begins for current Preschool families
Jan. 22: Enrollment begins for KDO/Church members
Jan. 23: Enrollment begins for former preschool families
Jan. 26: Enrollment begins for community

VILLAGE U: Registration opens Sunday, Jan. 4. Village U is a wide umbrella encompassing all of our learning opportunities in one easy-to-find location. Anyone is welcome to join a Village U class. Whether you’d like to learn more about church history, become more conversational in Spanish or join an afternoon yoga class, you can find opportunities here.
Child care is available for many of our classes as well. Register and read the individual class descriptions here.

December Snapshots

Advent Family Workshop

Children’s Christmas Musical

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