Gratitude

I am writing this the day before the summer solstice. Everything is so lush and full and green. This time of year fills me with thoughts of gratitude. I feel so happy and grateful to be your minister, and to share this ministry with such wonderfully kind and generous people in our congregation. There are so many thanks I could give that I would soon run out of space. But at this moment I want to express my thanks to a particular group, and a particular person in that group. I am speaking of the Pastoral Care Team and its long-time chair Ruby.

The Pastoral Care Team is the group that listens when you are going through a hard time, are celebrating a joy, or facing an illness. We envisioned such a team during the first year that I came to Allen Avenue, and then it slowly took shape bit by bit. It started with volunteers who were willing to answer a phone call during the summer months when I was away. We helped it along with the Leadership and Ministry Program workshop called LAMP 101. It grew stronger when I went on sabbatical in the fall of 2009. When I returned that January, we began to talk about how the team might be a part of the ministry year round, while I was here as much as when I am away.

Team members began to make note of what was said during joys and concerns, and respond with a conversation or a phone call. They did follow-up calls to those who were ill, or had lost someone they loved. Members of the team visited folks in the hospital or in their homes. Now it feels like they significantly enhance the quality of the love we share at A2U2.

I want to say a special thanks to Ruby who has had a key role in creating and guiding the team since the beginning. It just wouldn't have blossomed without her gentle presence, her behind the scenes organizing, and her availability for other team members to call upon with their questions. Ruby is stepping down as chair, but is continuing as a member of the team. She is now working as a chaplain at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, which makes it difficult to attend church on Sundays. Connie Cross and I prepared a certificate to give to Ruby, and since we couldn't do it at a Sunday service, I wanted to let you know what it says.

In Appreciation, Ruby P.

You have been instrumental in creating and leading our Pastoral Care Team and helping it to develop and grow. You have brought compassionate listing to so many of our members and also helped to teach others how to listen with love and care. You have inspired us by your willingness to seek a new path to follow the calling of your heart into a ministry with elders. We want to offer our special thanks for all that you have given our beloved community and many blessings on your continuing journey of ministry.

I am happy to report that Merrill is stepping up as chair, and we will likely add a co-chair in the fall. During the summer, if you need a listening ear, you can call the church 797-7240, dial extension 13, and leave a message for up to a minute. Someone from the team will call you back. Or you can email care @ a2u2.org, and someone will be in touch. That is also a way you can access the help of the Caring Connection, for meals, rides, or other help during an illness or other emergency. That is another group of wonderful people!

The members of the Pastoral Care Team this year have been Ruby, Merrill, Jim, Sara, Kathy, Judith, Mike, Dick, and Lisa. Joyce and Minty joined the team this spring. We'll be doing a LAMP 101 training in October, and welcome new members anytime during the church year.

Have a joyful summer!

Rev. Myke     

Like a River

June days are upon us. Peas are coming up in our garden, and I have three lovely tomato plants too, thanks to a church gardener who shall remain anonymous. I am writing this prior to our church annual meeting, but once again, it looks as though our hardworking stewardship committee, finance committee and board have pulled together a way for our congregation to get through these challenging financial times with grace and strength.

A lovely tiny poem came into my email box today, entitled, “Fluent” by John O'Donohue. It goes like this: 

I would love to live

Like a river flows,

Carried by the surprise

Of its own unfolding.

It reminds me of how I want to live as well. It is so easy to become worried and fearful—maybe this is my own temperament, but it seems to be wider that that, more like a cultural phenomenon. Michael Moore spoke about how our media are based in fear, and keep calling the alarm for the next bad thing around the corner. I often find myself falling into that trap too.

But instead, I can sometimes catch myself, can notice when I am sliding into alarmist projections, and shift the course. Margy and I are thinking that we might need to get ourselves a newer car, and sometimes I jump to the thought “it will be so hard to find one that we can afford.” But when I notice I am projecting a random negative outcome, I can interrupt it, shift into curiosity and expectation: that we will find interesting choices, that we will be helped, and just the right car will come along with a little bit of searching.

Of course, that is only one part of shifting the process—why should I have to project an outcome in any case? Or perhaps I could think like the Zen Buddhist, who says, “the glass is already broken.” In other words, don't feel attached to things as if they must always remain the same. All things come to an end, even us. Let go, and enjoy the present moment. What a life it would be to enter each day open to the surprise of its unfolding. Like the river. 

Each moment when I am able to do that is full of a secret sort of joy, even magic. I wish that kind of magic for you during this lovely month of June.

Rev. Myke