Auld Lang Syne

Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?

Should old acquaintance be forgot, and old lang syne?

Robert Burns, the Scottish poet, wrote the lyrics to the traditional end-of-the-year song in 1788 and the title “Auld Lang Syne” translated means “Old Long Since” or “Long, Long ago.” It is a song about endings and beginnings, remembering those we care about, toasting to the old and ringing in the new! 

Lest we forget all the great people that have contributed to 2025, this is a virtual toast to you - in celebration for a wonderful year and a look at what is to come! Some highlights of our year together:

• The NoHo First UMC Board worked with the Bishop and District Superintendent Garth Gilliam to locate and appoint a new pastor!

• Our Love Thy Neighbor Mission team reached 7247 lives with our Blessing Backpacks, Sack Lunch Sundays, hot meals at the Van Nuys Labor Center, Snacks and supplies for the firefighters at Little Tujunga Station, School supplies for Kid City, and volunteer days at the Islamic Food Pantry! A toast to our co-chairs Patty and Jon and to all those who helped out! 

• We launched our weekly Bible Study  on Wednesday nights in the Lounge. This group of 8-18 has helped our church grow spiritually and we have completed the study of “Making Sense of the Bible” by Adam Hamilton, “Immersion Bible Study: Genesis” by Jack A. Keller (ed.), “The Bible With and Without Jesus: How Jews and Christians read the Same Stories” by Dr. Amy-Jill Levine and Dr. Marc Zvi Brettler and “Prepare the Way for the Lord” by Adam Hamilton.

• We continued our celebrations of culture this year with Black History Month, Asian American Pacific Islander Month, a celebration of our Native American community with Hoop Dancer Eric Hernandez and our annual Luau featuring Polynesian dancers. 

• We welcomed 20 new members into our congregation and baptized two adults.

 It has been a great year and I look forward to what God has in store for us in 2026! 

May the love of Christ fill you with good things and throughout the new year,