PJ’s Page –
I’m writing this newsletter article on the evening after our Annual Meeting. If you do the math, you’ll realize that I’m a bit tardy in getting this completed and submitted to Katy for publication (fun fact: the Messenger deadline is always the 15th of the month.)
A part of what’s contributing to my tardiness is that Luther Memorial is engaged in a whole lot of exciting, innovative, important ministry. We are doing all of the work around preparing our neighbors and ourselves to be supportive community for fifty-nine households full of God’s beautiful children who will finally have a safe place to call home. We have hatched a Wellness ministry (see elsewhere in this newsletter for more details.) We are crafting new styles of worship services, some on the months with Fifth Sundays and some being envisioned for other days and times. We are anticipating the welcome of our friends at Harbor Church as we share worship space. Your Facilities Team is diligently working on plans for some major necessary repairs in the sanctuary. We are doing all of this while we are tending to the regular business of the congregation.
But that doesn’t quite explain my delay in writing this article.
The reality is that our neighbors continue to reach out to this congregation and this pastor for guidance in these confusing times. Since the November election I have, without doubt, engaged with more people who do not worship with us than ever before. Everyone is trying to make sense of perplexing and troubling circumstances.
The best I know to do in these times is to be available as a safe person and space. Because of the complexity of the issues, people arrive at our door or through the website with a multitude of concerns. But what ties them all together is fear of what might be ahead.
I wish I could tell you and them that I know exactly what that might be. But I don’t. These are unprecedented times; times of uncertainty and great change.
But be assured of this: Jesus Christ is the same…yesterday, today, and always. (Hebrews 13:8)
Jesus is the source and foundation of our hope. And we take great comfort in that. But it is not a blind comfort and it is not a comfortable resting place. It is a place that prepares us, that strengthens us, and that sends us out into the world to shine the light of Christ’s love, grace, mercy, and justice.
In the days ahead, if you feel a loss of hope, or if you wonder what you can do, or you need a safe place to talk….know that I am here…as your pastor, but also as a fellow traveler on this journey. Let’s meet…for coffee or tea or a march through the streets….I’ll even put off writing my newsletter article for you!
See you in church,
Pastor Julie+