From the Pastors

Dear Church,

If you’re anything like me, you spent much of Sunday evening and Monday watching the rain, worrying about neighbors, and looking at pictures and videos online of the flooding throughout our community.

This week we return to hybrid worship, which means both in-person and online opportunities to gather for our Sunday service. While the spread of coronavirus continues, we will be cautious. That caution, along with some of the insights shared in this past summers’ Backyard Conversations, has led several boards to look at what the time immediately following worship might look like. So we’re trying some things!

I just finished an inspiring video call with Rev. Phiwa Langeni of the UCC’s Center for Analytics, Research & Development, and Data (CARDD). These last six weeks they’ve been leading a group of clergy through something called the Exodus Experiment, in which we each look at our local ministry setting and consider what wilderness we might be wandering and where God might be leading. Part of the introduction to the Exodus Experiment read: “just as God cared for those in the literal wilderness of yesteryear, God does the same for us [now] … God has been, is still, and will yet be with us every single step of the way, wherever it may take us.”

Today’s Midweek Message is information over inspiration—that is: details! Although, I am inspired by these details. Excited. Nervous-but-expectant. Hopeful.

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”

-Jesus in the Gospel according to Matthew 18:20

Like so much scripture, this passage is often taken out of context. In the Gospel, Jesus is describing community disagreement and how to address it. If you’ve tried other options, come together, Jesus encourages, and have open, honest conversation.

2022 will mark Pastor Sharon’s seventh year with First Congregational Church and it is time for her Sabbath! Her sabbatical will last three months, starting after Easter 2022. This past spring, Pastor Sharon and a team of First Congregational Church members prepared a grant application in support of her upcoming sabbatical period.

These last few weeks Jamie and I have been attempting to can the fruit flourishing in our yard. (Let’s be honest—I cut and mash; she cooks and cans). This note is one she wrote a few days ago, a bit of a peek into our life and faith and the congregations we cherish.