The Pilgrim - June 25, 2017
Sunday Celebration Notes
Celebrating God's Love Every Sunday at 10 am
Dear First Church,
The summer solstice is upon us, and the summer schedule is shifting into place here at First Church. Deep cleaning is happening, the courtyard full of chairs being steam cleaned and drawers and closets emptied of their tired contents. We are taking a breath and preparing for the beginning of DAYS Summer Camp next week.
In just a week, John Forrest and I will be traveling with our spouses (and one preschooler with me and Mark!) to Baltimore, MD for the national meeting of the United Church of Christ, our Synod. This biennial meeting is a combination of conference, worship, business, networking and Old Home Week … a chance to reconnect with the wider church, understand the larger trends effecting all congregations, and hear about the direction of our shared life as a denomination.
Rev. Douglas is a member of the prestigious Next Generation Leadership Institute and will attend in that capacity, while I will be traveling as the Vice President of the Board for Ministerial Assistance and fulfilling obligations to the national church, as befits the minister of a local congregation. Leading service on July 2 will be Rev. Katy Hyman and Rev. Josh Morris, our clergy in the community, who will bring challenging words to us about moral courage and our own privilege.
But before next week, we have a beautiful Sunday planned: we will acknowledge our musicians and music staff, commission the new Theatre Ministry Team, and observe the sixtieth anniversary of the United Church of Christ with songs, bells, and words of gratitude.
Blessings as summer begins for us all~
The Rev. Elena Larssen
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