It’s hard to believe it’s October already. Soon, it will be time for the election, and holidays will come barreling on shortly after that. Like everything else this year, the next few months will look different from what we’re used to. But despite it all, God is still with us – offering strength, patience, and peace that passes understanding (and Heaven knows that’s just the kind of peace we need these days!). There’s so much to pray for, so much justice to seek, so much kindness to love, so much walking humbly with God to do. Let’s keep these things in mind as we vote and as we find ways to celebrate Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas safely.
We’re still figuring out the road as we walk it, and that includes putting together a plan for when and how to return to the church building. The new COVID-19 Planning Task Group has started their work to determine the myriad decisions we have in front of us to keep people healthy and safe. The members of the task group are: Craig Barnes, Bill Howland, Zach Kilborn, Ron Martin, Chelsea McCutchin, Suzanne Quenette, and myself. Stay tuned for more information as soon as we have it to share.
Meanwhile, another group of us are already looking toward Advent and Christmas. As you can expect, this year won’t be like other years, but I can tell you that it will still be special and meaningful. I’m excited about the creative ways our church will wait hopefully and then celebrate joyfully the coming of Emmanuel, God-with-us.
Speaking of Christmas, look at what I found when I was packing up our house in Fort Worth! Even though I’m a bit of a pack rat and shouldn’t have been surprised that I kept this, I was taken by surprise when I stumbled across the UCC bulletin from Christmas Eve 2011. My mom was living in Round Rock at the time, and I was just about to start a pastorate in Fort Worth the next month. I knew Chuck and Mary Lu a bit, so we decided to come to UCC’s service. It was beautiful – beautiful enough that I’ve kept the bulletin all these years! What a joy it is to be here now with you all and to continue in the tradition of UCC of making beautiful things with and for God and God’s people.
One more thing: thank you to all of you who signed up for a Zoom chat and also for everyone who was able to come to the car parade – what fun! With the weather getting to be cooler, I’d love to visit with you on your porches, at a park, or in the UCC courtyard at a safe and social distance (and masked up). If you feel comfortable with that, I’ll be happy to spend some time with you in person. If you’re not quite ready for that, let’s set up a phone chat. Send me an email and we will make it happen.
Peace,
Megan