Perseverance is defined as a continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition. What are some of the stories of our past and what can they tell us about the concept of persistence? How does celebrating these journeys help us to commit and strengthen our own trait of endurance? Life is not easy for any of us. We must have perseverance and above all, confidence in ourselves. As a congregation and individuals, we all have talents to offer. The challenge is to be open and willing to share those unique gifts. I invite all of you to join us in celebrating journeys of perseverance from our past as we consider our own journeys forward.