I wish I had a dollar every time someone told me, “I almost came to church last Sunday, but didn’t because…I would have cried.” Some were regular worshipers, but their aversion to tears in church broke their sturdy habit. Not only did they not get the support they needed when they needed it, a few drifted away forever. I wish I had a dollar for every time I answered them with, “It’s OK to cry here. What else is church for? If you can’t be sad in church, what does it all add up to?”
A Little About Me
I always feel a little weird with sharing details about my life. I really do prefer listening and learning about others. However, as I step into this Interim role, it’s probably good to provide a little background. I was born in Michigan and grew up in the farming town of Manteno, IL (south of Chicago), adopted into a family with wonderful parents (Timothy and Terri), dogs a plenty, and an older brother (Sam).
LAST SUNDAY, THIS SUNDAY
Last week we launched a new church year with a robust Welcome Back Sunday where glad faces shone and strength in community were the order of the day. Spirited songs stirred us, and a feast of pulled pork and brisket sealed the deal.
EBONY AND IVORY
Is anyone else struck by the memorials of two generational figures within days of each other? John McCain from Arizona was about as white as white gets. And Aretha Franklin from Detroit was about as black as black gets. But swirl together the juxtaposition of their passing, and you get one of those yin and yang circles of Taoism, with a white dot on the black side, and a black dot on the white side.
QUICK TO LISTEN…SLOW TO JUDGE
How can we find peace in this life despite the slings of conflict and arrows of hurt randomly piercing us? How can we become agents of harmony rather than pain?
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4.13
We imagine, as we look to the future, that a time will soon come when we can coast. When we can take it easy and things will work out. When things will settle down. Of all times, one might reasonably expect such an experience during a sabbatical, being designed for rest, recovery, and repose–a taste of serenity.