From the Pastor
Because of time and deadlines, I am writing this back page before some rather significant events in the life of our church, and in life in general. I am writing before the Ecclesiastical Councils for Kristen DelMonte and Jean Boal. I am writing before our Annual Meeting and our votes on the church budget, on next steps for the replacement of Pilgrim House, and on the call of Kristen to become an “official” minister of our church. I am writing before the inauguration of Barack Obama. And, on a personal note, I am writing before my rapidly approaching 60th birthday. Yikes! So much that happens at the end of January will shape our February and all the months beyond. I can’t wait to see how it all works out.
And I hope, as we move into February, that you share my feelings of anticipation and excitement. Who knows, perhaps our reach will exceed our grasp. We may not yet be able to do all we want. We may be forced to cut back on our expectations. But what amazes me about this congregation is that so many of us are still willing to dream, to look ahead, to hope and plan for more. I love it that any talk of cutting back or delaying is accompanied by the conviction that it is just temporary. We know that God still has work for us to do, and do it we will.
The author, Kathleen Norris, has said, “In our life of faith…as well as in our most intimate relationships with other people, our task is to transform the high romance of conversion, the fervor of a religious call, into daily commitment - into the sort of friendship that transcends infatuation and can endure all things. Our desire is to love God and each other, in stable relationships that, like any good marriage, remain open to surprise and receptive to grace.” Open to surprise and receptive to grace. Not a bad theme for the year ahead, a year that no doubt will have more than its share of surprise and grace, challenges and wonderful opportunities for service and growth. May we be open and receptive to it all.
Gene
