8/28 Goode Thoughts - Weaving Together

We are almost to September!  Oh my goodness!  There’s a lot to update!  But first, let’s start with some important “housekeeping.”  

It is REALLY important that, if you have not done so already, for you to take some time to fill out the membership form online (or one of the paper ones available at each congregation).  Here’s the link once again – should only take about 10 minutes (if that)

RJC Member Form

Please note that you may have to click on the button that says “Continue to destination”   THANK YOU!

Reflecting on “Last Sundays” – At the end of this post, I’ve included what I shared for the each congregation to email out but I wanted to have it here as well.  It is just some thoughts about what will be happening in each congregation this coming Sunday as “last Sundays” before we officially become ResoundingJoy Church.  So if you didn’t see that previously, you’ll find it at the end.  

Weaving Together – I don’t know what it has been about the last few days but my photography eye has been drawn to spiderwebs.  I think it has to do with the dewy mornings we have been having recently along with being out in places at just the right time.  I love the intricacy of spiderwebs and I marvel at the ways that these (often, but not always) tiny creatures create such beautiful shapes and patterns.  But even more so I love when these webs are covered with tiny droplets of dew and how, in the low morning sun, they look like jeweled necklaces shining brightly.  It is stunning.  And…even more than that, I love getting close with my macro lens and seeing each droplet in ways that I cannot see on my own.  Here's a few I’ve seen recently.  

These also speak to me of what is happening here.  There are a LOT of things happening that may not be obvious until you look closely – things like conversations about bank accounts, what is moved and what stays, orders of services, structures, schedules, plans, and so forth.  But each of them are a part of this weaving together that the Spirit is doing here.  And then when you put them all together, it begins to reflect something beautiful.  
 
Expansive Ephesians Bible Study – Speaking of what’s being woven together, I want to invite you to take some time over the next week leading up to September 7 to dig into one of Paul’s letters with me.  I’ve created an online study of the letter to the Ephesians because I think it speaks a vital message to our world right now as well as a message that will be at the heart of our ministry together.  Paul, in this letter, speaks in stunning ways about the expansive and embracing love of God through Jesus.  He speaks of how different groups come together into One New Humanity (my caps, not his) through God’s work and then what our response ought to be with one another and to the world.  There are eight sessions online and all but two of them are about 5 minutes long.  I invite you to take some time each day before September 7 to take in a session a day OR to do the whole thing in one sitting.  You can find them at:
Expansive Ephesians 

Wednesdays with Ed – This coming Wednesday, I’ll be at Northwest from 12-2 along with Scout!  Your chance to meet our church dog!  

Sign Update – The RJC Session approved a proposal for our new electronic sign (which will be paid for by the Presbytery) and it will likely be installed late in October or early November!  

Next Week’s Update – Next week’s update will have a LOT about our first Sunday together and things of how the shape of our initial ministry life will be.  So look forward to that!  

Schedule Stuff – Just a quick FYI that I will be leaving shortly after worship at NW on Sunday to fly to Boston to help move Eldra into her dorm at Tufts.  I’ll be in Boston on Monday and then flying back on Tuesday evening.  I will have a colleague for pastoral care needs that might arise.  

Prayers – I would also ask your prayers for my wife, Amy Snow, for this Sunday coming up.  This Sunday is also a last Sunday for her as it is her last day at First Presbyterian (Fort Thomas) where she’s been serving as transitional pastor for the last several years.  She will start as interim associate at Knox Presbyterian in September but this Sunday is going to be an emotional day for her as well.    

Reflecting on “Last Sundays”
Friends, this is going to be a challenging weekend for each of the churches coming together to be a part of ResoundingJoy.  Each congregation will be holding its own version of a closure / changing service before our first official Sunday together on September 7.  Even though I’ll be leading the service at Northwest this weekend, I will personally be holding each congregation in prayer and I want to invite the leaders of each congregation to hold the other congregations in prayer.  This weekend is a celebration of decades of beautiful ministry and of God’s work but it is also a time of grief in closing one season before another begins.  

It is easy to just move to the resurrection and the rebirth that is coming but I think it is vital that we allow the feelings of this weekend to be present and to honor what each person experiences.  We’ll have plenty of time to celebrate what is ahead but for now, trust in the presence of the Spirit surrounding each congregation this weekend.  

A dear colleague of mine, Rev. Arianne Braithwaite Lehn wrote this prayer that I think speaks to how each will experience differently the services this weekend

When I Need to Know I’m Held (Just as I am)
Gracious God, Please meet me where I’m at today. Enfold my heart— whatever its state— reminding me you are here, reminding me I am loved. I thank you, God, I don’t need to be perfect. Your grace is deeper, your love stronger, your forgiveness broader than I understand. Draw me out, Lord. Shine your light on my secrets. Send the soft rains of cleansing and the strong rains of refinement on my soul’s ground. Please prepare me for the days ahead, whatever they bring. You’ve given me the Spirit to face it all. I hand over my worries and joys, knowing you care even more deeply than I do. Please make me an instrument of your love today, God. Make me a reflection of my Creator in what I say, in how I act, in the focus of my thoughts, in the energy I emanate. Amen.  (Lehn, Arianne Braithwaite. Ash and Starlight: Prayers for the Chaos and Grace of Daily Life (pp. 82-83). Kindle Edition.)

Grace, Peace, Love, Hope, and Joy,
Pastor Ed

PS – Scout says hi too!