The Oasis - July 22, 2020
Author: Rev. Estelle Margarones
July 22, 2020
Rev. Estelle Margarones
Dear friends,
My driveway and yard are full of brown leaves. It seems rather autumnal, though the thermometer registers 95 degrees today. We expect leaves to fall in late September or October (but not in July). Initially I was concerned about the apparent premature leaf loss until I remembered that this very same thing happened last year. The tree came back, healthy and bright this spring. The tree may appear to be out-of-synch with other trees, but it is following an innate rhythm.
“To everything, there is a season”, so says the Book of Ecclesiastes. My season with you is winding down and Rev. Eric’s season with you will soon be here. While it surely seems to undergo a pastoral transition in the midst of a pandemic, know that this is happening in God’s divine timing--and know that all is well!
In each season, there are seeds to be sown, fledgling plants to be tended, and fruits to be harvested. It’s been my pleasure to be with you through the land agreement, pandemic, and a time of new racial awareness. I pray our time together has given you some food for thought.
As we stand at the cusp of a new season, I want to lift up a few folks whose work will bless you richly.
I offer thanks and praise for our Search Committee for working diligently for 18 months (including these challenging times): John Covino, Per Jonas, Jerri LeConte, Laura Lindop, Sherry McConnell, Cheryl Pinder, Jonn Schrimper (Chair), Scott Stevens, and Nelson Walter.
I give thanks and praise for the Reopening Task Force appointed by the Church Council. The five faithful people serving our church in this way are all deep thinkers with your wellbeing at heart: Don Bernier, Carolyn Dupree, Jerri Leconte, Shawn McCartee, and Mark Villinski.
I also offer thanks and gratitude to the Buildings and Grounds Committee for all they’re doing to facilitate the repair of the Air Conditioning and Heating systems in the church sanctuary.
Please join me in offering prayers for all of those who are working diligently to keep us in faithful community. It may appear that nothing is happening, but growth happens beneath the surface. I trust you know that life, death and renewal are all parts of both the seasonal cycle and the Christian experience.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven
Isaiah 55:10-11 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Blessings,
Rev. Estelle
|