Resetting the Temperature
It’s starting to feel a lot like summer…This morning I took the kids to the pool for the first time and watched them splash around. It's hard to believe anyone can smile for as long as they did. I also stepped outside this week and for the first time this year felt the wave of heat and humidity engulf me. In the same moment, a friend reflected a concern that the beginning of summer would feel like the start of the pandemic with the kids home and the pace slowed on just about everything. I believe it will be a bit of time before we don’t have moments when we have to remind ourselves that we have come out on the other side of this pandemic, even in the future when it will finally be well behind us.
Our hopefulness is made abundantly real in the other moments we are starting to have. These are the moments when we are reminded of things we enjoy and haven’t had access to this past year. Movie theaters are getting back up to speed and I got to see Altuve hit a home run last night. A particularly joyful example was church this past Sunday! Our Pentecost service was glorious. Many of you came to church to be surprised to hear the choir in the loft and blessed to support Nicky who became the newest saint in the Kingdom through his baptism. We continue to get all sorts of guidance as to how to handle things like wearing masks and taking communion, and I pray that you will join me in doing whatever is appropriate to ensure we continue to protect those in our church who are not yet vaccinated or are too young to yet be. That said, the diocese has given us permission to sing which was a true joy on Sunday.
I ask that you pray for our staff as we gather on Tuesday for a full day of planning. We will be discussing events like our 4th of July picnic and the bishop’s visit on July 11. We will be looking toward the fall and planning for all the wonderful things God has in store for us. I am so very grateful for this staff that has risen to every occasion this year and for this community which proceeded in mutual love and care bringing us to this new place.
We love you and God loves you.