June 1, 2022
Marking time and making time. We are in that period the year when we begin to negotiate a change in seasons and changes in life patterns. Days are getting noticeably longer, meaning the longest day of the year, the official first day of summer will soon be here. Of course, that will also initiate the slow shrinkage in our hours of daylight. We remedy this by acting like summer arrives Memorial Day week-end, which is already behind us. Regardless, the long, dark, and somewhat reclusive days of winter have receded and now we are anticipating making up for it with an active and enjoyable summer.
I have some suggestions on how to spend your time this weekend and get your summer off to a rolling start. After we celebrate the gift of God’s Holy Spirit at Pentecost in worship, we invite you to go directly to Shelter #3 at Jefferson Park in Beacon Hill and celebrate our All Church Picnic. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. Do, however, bring a dish to share and a beverage to share. Bringing chairs is also encouraged. Come prepared for a good time of conversation, food, and games.
Days are longer now, so celebrate the extra hours by returning to church for an evening of song, poetry, and conversation about faith and art. Our performers and facilitators will be Malcom Guite and Steve Bell. This will be one of five free events hosted by area churches. For information about all of those events this week-end go here. For information and free tickets for the event at our church go here.
We hope these events are only the beginning of a very are enjoyable, restorative, and healthy summer. See below for more details.
However, seasons mark both beginnings and ends. And as you will read below, there will be some changes in our staff over the Summer. Today marks the first day Pastor Steve steps down from three-quarters time to half-time. Pastor Steve was hoping to make this move after I began full-time last June 1, but delayed it a year in light of Pastor Ellie’s departure. My thanks to my colleague for all he has done this past year to make my transition as successful as it has been. Today you will also learn of Nat Bartels acceptance into a doctoral program in literature and her upcoming transition out of her position at our church. We have been blessed by Nat’s many gifts and her “can do” attitude. Her efforts to create music for our worship services in the throes of our season of virtual worship are legend. We look forward to our last weeks with Nat at the helm of our music program, and celebrating her accomplishments here, and her accomplishments to come in Scotland and beyond.
This is truly a season of marking time and making time: marking the seasons of our church and its ministries and those who serve in them; and making time to offer thanks, to spend time with those we love, and to celebrate a season of light and hope, after so many days of darkness and challenge.
Grace and Peace and Joy to you all.
Pastor Todd