Embracing All in 2026

Dear Sunny Lane Family,

The start of a new year always brings that familiar mix of optimism and exhaustion. Maybe you crushed your goals in 2025, or maybe you're just relieved it's over. Either way, welcome to 2026!

At Sunny Lane, this year isn't necessarily about fresh starts or resolutions. It's about doubling down on something we believe matters: embracing all with God's grace. It’s the third part of our vision statement, the "Embracing All" piece. 

Here's the honest truth: embracing all is harder than it sounds. Del City is beautifully diverse: economically, racially, generationally, politically. That's our strength. But diversity doesn't automatically equal unity. It takes intentional work to build a community where military families, single parents, young adults, seniors, and everyone in between actually feel like they belong.

This year, that's the work. Not the surface-level "everyone's welcome" statement on a website, but the real, practical stuff: Are children and youth truly seen and valued, not just tolerated? Do senior adults feel connected, or are they increasingly isolated? Can someone walk in on Sunday morning, no matter their background, questions, or doubts, and find genuine acceptance?

What "Embracing All" Actually Looks Like

“Embracing all with God’s grace” begins with recognizing the sacred worth of every person, upholding diverse cultures, and inspiring intergenerational ministry. That's not just church-speak. It means:

• Leaning into the “What if Love” campaign. Letting our neighbors know that love is our guiding light. Inviting new people to join our movement.

• Creating space where questions are welcome. Faith isn't about having all the answers. It's about wrestling with hard stuff together.

• Valuing every generation's contribution. Kids aren't the "future of the church." They're the church right now. So are seniors. So is everyone else.

• Building relationships across differences. Political, cultural, theological—the point isn't agreeing on everything. It's learning to love people as they are.

Grace isn't cheap. It doesn't mean lowering standards or pretending differences don't exist. It means choosing radical hospitality even when it's uncomfortable. One way we’re going to do this is by reviving our greeting game on Sunday mornings. We will make sure that every person who walks through our doors feels included and important, and if they need a literal embrace, we’ve got free hugs to give out around here. 

So if you're new around here, or if you've been around for decades, this is the year to embrace all. To hug the neck of our neighbors with genuine love, no matter what our differences may be.

This isn't about being a perfect church. It's about being a real one: a group of people authentically living like Jesus. A place where transformation happens because grace gets extended.

That's the kind of community worth building in 2026.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Adam