Proverbs 17:17 – A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
On Sunday, we launched our “This is Us” celebration with a pancake breakfast and a time of fellowship followed by our worship service in Fellowship Hall. This past Sunday was a time to acknowledge and celebrate what means most to us about our church. What fond memories do you have from this past year? Was there an activity or event where you felt particularly engaged? At the end of her sermon, Pastor Caroline challenged us to pick up a pen and index card and identify aspects of what we most celebrate about our church.
In my 64 years of life, I’ve heard many reasons for people to choose a particular place of worship. I’ve also heard a few vehemently state why they’d never join any place of worship! Past church experiences weigh heavily on which “camp” someone is in. My own childhood church memories are of get-togethers with friends after services were over or of playing “hide and seek” outside while my parents socialized. My memories are rich in Christmas caroling at local nursing homes at the holidays and of church picnics up at Caledonia in the summer. Church community was safe and fun. As an adult, I have struggled with theological questions from those early years of church learning, but to this day, memories of my childhood congregation as my church “family” still make my heart smile.
So … what brought Swann and me to St. John’s back in 2015? We were looking for a place to spiritually grow together, and a worship experience that would address both of our spiritual needs. We were also looking for acceptance as a couple. Our faith backgrounds are quite different and merging them into a mutually comfortable spiritual practice was a real challenge. I am thankful for the 11 years we’ve spent at St. John’s and for the room to grow as we’ve spiritually journeyed together. We are thankful for the warm acceptance and the thoughtful interactions we have with those within our church. We truly do feel that we belong to a family. It is my prayer that others would feel the same.
As we take the time to collectively celebrate “This is Us”, what stands out to you? What programs or activities draw you in? What challenges you to grow? Feel free to add your thoughts to our bulletin board, which has been moved up to the Welcome Center. If you’d like, drop an email to Pastor Caroline sharing your feelings – or making needs known. As a family, communication feeds togetherness.
Dear Jesus, we thank you for your own example of family. You didn’t travel this earth on your own, but gathered energy and comfort from the disciples who journeyed with you. You shared meals, ministry, and spiritual truth while fulfilling your earthly ministry. You didn’t do life on your own – and neither should we!
Swann and I will be travelling out west to several of our national parks during the month of September. We return to church on October 11, and I will pick up with Devotional Reflections then.
May peace and love abound,
Diana
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