Dear Friends,

Courtney and I were married on June 17th, 2017. A whole ten days later, we packed up our two vehicles and took off southbound on I-35 toward our new home—Friendswood, TX. Honestly, we had no idea what we were getting into. We learned about Houston traffic somewhere around Conroe. Just a few weeks later, we learned about hurricanes! We’ve come to learn a whole lot about Friendswood over the last five years. Most importantly, we’ve come to know you—the people of Friendswood Friends Church. Because of you, I understand the phrase “church family,” better now than I ever have. In our low moments—like loneliness around the holidays—you picked us up. During celebrations—like when we bought our first house or welcomed our son into the world—you celebrated with us. You have even trusted us with kids of the family. I suppose some people get by without a church family, but I don’t know how.

It is with a heavy heart that I tell you we will once again be packing up our vehicles. About a week ago, I accepted the opportunity to pastor at Chandler Friends Church. I quite literally grew up in that church, and I’m excited for the chance to “give back” to that congregation. This decision was not made lightly or quickly, but only after much prayer and conversation. We’re happy to be moving closer to our flesh-and-blood families, but we’re heartbroken to leave you—our church family—for a million different reasons. Thankfully, we will be here until the end of the school year (May 2023). My goal now is to finish strong, helping to lay a solid foundation for the next man or woman who God calls to serve the young people of this church.

Please know how grateful I am for the love and support you’ve shown my family. Thank you for taking a risk in hiring me—a 22-year old with almost no experience. Thank you for trusting me with the youth group’s safety and spiritual guidance. Most of all, thank you for welcoming us into the family. I told David recently that Friendswood Friends Church has loved us with the very love of God; we only hope that we can “pay it forward” as much as we have tried to give that love back to you during our time here. Please pray for Courtney, Everett and me, our students and our church as we traverse together over the next several months. I will be praying for and with you, trusting that God will lead us all faithfully into the future. 

This Week:

 Family Promise is on our campus this week. Remember to pray for them and keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities to help host visitors in the future. Thanks to everyone who has already signed up to help this week!

The students who signed up to attend the Ski Retreat in Colorado this Christmas break invite you to a fundraiser lunch and auction following the service this Sunday November 20th, in the Friends Center gym. We will have soup, salad, bread, and dessert. The cost is $10/person and kids under 5 eat for free. Buy tickets by contacting Josiah before Sunday or you can buy them at the door. We will also have an auction at the luncheon to benefit the youth group’s trip to Colorado. If you would like to donate a meal or items to the auction, contact Josiah Brown. In previous years, people have donated items like hosting a meal, weekend getaways to vacation homes, sports tickets, and baskets of goodies.

Thank you for supporting the Junior High Bible Quiz Team by buying Thanksgiving pies. Pick up your pies this Sunday after worship (or after the luncheon). If you need special arrangements, talk to Josiah. Let me take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to Becky Wilber for making so many apple pies. She’s the best!

Save the date: The All Church Christmas Caroling and Hayride will be on Tuesday, December 6th from 5:30-7:30 pm.

Ladies – please plan to attend our annual Christmas Party and Cookie Exchange on Thursday, December 15th.  More details will be coming soon, but meanwhile save the date!

May God bless you this week,

Josiah Brown