Pastor’s Blog – September 2011

As the “Summer Breeze” becomes a bit more refreshing in these last days of August, and we begin to plan and implement plans for the fall schedule, we look back and reflect on a summer that saw wonderful highs (and I don’t mean temperatures!), some losses that made us pause, reflect and remember, and, hopefully, times for all of us to enjoy this season of beauty, recreation, and relaxation.

• In June, we listened to Victoria and Ben talk about their faith journeys, and how your presence as their community of faith has shaped their lives, attitudes, and hopes for the future. They represented the first generation of kids to participate in both worship and Sunday School. As they grew up, worship was not seen as “Big Peoples Time”, nor the sanctuary as a foreign land for them to grow into. They had the advantage of seeing the adults in action – and knowing that they were included in it all. Remember, the young ones are always watching…learning.
• July brought the mission trip to Murrow Children’s Home in Muskogee, OK. Many in the church have been blessed by the stories that came from our journey. We have spoken of the incredible amount of work that got done within and around the buildings, and of the rewards of the interpersonal connections that were made. You should know that we had a bit over $1300 left from the account designated for materials, tools, etc. We have notified the home that these funds will be available to meet any unbudgeted needs they may encounter.
• Our sandwich ministry to Crossroads and beyond continued through the summer months. The wonderfully dedicated group of Monday night “preparers and deliverers” continued to serve the homeless community, recognizing that our social ills and issues never take a season off. While this was going on, Keith regularly brought our food contributions to West Bay, and Al served at the Family Shelter in Conimicut. This underscores that truth that these and other efforts are not just church programs, but the very mission of our church – the reason we exist.
• David and Joe lead a very intriguing book study this summer. A good size group turned out on Wednesday evenings at Dave’s house to discuss chapters from “Sitting at the feet of Rabbi Jesus”. It may be the largest sustained attendance for a study group that we have had in some years! Great job, guys.
• Our Thursday worship maintained a strong showing. The worship team put together a series of quality worship experiences base on the beatitudes, using song, prayer, video, personal testimony, and bible reflection, these were times of growth and celebration.
• The second week in August saw the Pastor go off to camp! After a fourteen year hiatus, I spent a week as camp pastor for the senior and junior high conferences at Canonicus.  I admit that I arrived with a bit of trepidation at the thought of trying to supply a week of relevant thoughts and ideas to a group of teens. What I discovered was that even if the body has slowed considerably since my last camp experiences, the mind and mouth seem to be functioning quite well! Kids may function within a much different world now-a-days, but the driving needs and motivations remain germane to the age group. More important than technology, clothes, networking habits, and the like is the need that runs deepest – to be seen as some one of value – along with the need to sing, play, laugh, dance and celebrate God’s gift of life.

So, just when we convince ourselves we cut back for the summer, we find that some very significant and meaningful facets of church life have absorbed us. We recognize that the Kingdom of God is not something we choose to attend when we feel like it, but is the state of existence in which we are called to participate each and every day, and in doing so, find our ultimate fulfillment.

Blessings for the coming season,

Pastor John
9.2011