Fresh off the blazing heat of building a home with a single mother in Costa Rica, we will soon be gobsmacked by our first winter storm worthy of the name. So we’re talking about a collision of hemispheric forces. But all is right with the world, as 17 of us are safely home, forever changed.
First, as we closely monitor the Sunday weather situation—mostly occurring late on Saturday—check our church web page for the most recent information. My guess right now is that we could well end up cancelling the 8:30 service before digging ourselves out for Hymnfest Sunday. But so much could change between now and then that I should hesitate to project any scenario.
This much I do know. When Sundays are so snowy, a “snow rules” mentality envelopes us. That is, because everything feels so different as nature temporarily alters our existence, churchgoers like to do something a little different in worship. We have that prepared for you in our annual Hymnfest. A variety of church members will share their faith and how it gets articulated by the hymns that mean the most to them, as we cycle through singing the hymns. If you like sacred repertoire with a personal touch, you’ll enjoy worshipping with us on Sunday, God willing and the creek don’t rise. Also, this Sunday we plan to honor Dana Munro’s service to FCC, Darien.
As though that is not enough, John Wygal and the Board of Christian Education have planned an excellent Open Discussion about the Islamic Faith. Care to separate the truth from the fictions circulated out there? Two area Muslim gentlemen have graciously consented to help us sort it out. That conversation will occur in our Parish Hall following our 10 am service, about 11:30 am.
As for what we experienced in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, you will hear more from us as we slowly sort it out. Suffice it to say that, having done this a dozen times now, I have never seen all of the many variables that make up a Habitat for Humanity Global Village Work Trip come together in such a felicitous manner. The weather was gorgeous, if a bit difficult for heavy manual labor. (No sympathy plea there, I get it.) We were all kept safe during our travels and construction site heavy lifting. The Habitat leadership—from the guide meeting us at the airport to the mason supervising our construction—were all superlative, top-drawer directors of our efforts.
Seldom do I do something where I am so utterly certain that God is using my life so completely and passionately, as serving in this way. The single mother, Marian, and her three children, won our hearts over. We shall live the rest of our days seeing them in their sturdy home that we helped form. We shall always rest well in the conviction that her dream come true was also part of the bigger dream that Jesus called the reign of God. Whenever one becomes an instrument for pushing the needle forward on that, however slightly, it has been time very optimally spent.
Thank you for supporting us with your prayers, generous donations, and good wishes. Thanks to Gary Morello and Alan Mathis of Liberation Programs for covering in my absence. Praise God for calling me to this remarkable church whose reach and impact is local, regional, and global.