Dear Beloved Community,
For a while now, it has been a practice of mine to sketch out these newsletter articles months in advance. I love the practice of looking at the church calendar, the school calendar, the rising and falling of our life together in this world to find themes that could be reflected on in any given week. It satisfies the part of my brain that finds comfort in a good plan. Yet it’s all held loosely, of course, lest we need to pivot into something different.
Pivoting is on my mind this week, as my self-assigned topic of reflection had been “end of the building project!!” Well… as you’ve seen, we’re not quite there yet! After city permitting changed their minds on the construction of the three structures (pavilion, covered driveway, covered walkway), months of delay represented a big pivot to anchor these structures with steel instead of wood. I’m so glad to report that steel installation began this week, and structures are set to arrive before the end of August! We also have playground equipment that was installed last week, so there’s much to see above-ground as our project heads into its busiest stretch. We’re now aiming toward a late October dedication and celebration, which will be a long time coming! And, of course, it’s all held loosely, lest we need to pivot once again.
One place we didn’t need to pivot was in the gift of welcoming our friend, Paul Baxley, as guest proclaimer this week! I hope you’ll be here this Sunday, as we’re graced with the gift of Paul’s leadership and spirit. He’s one of us in more ways than one, and I know you will be enriched by his visit. (And yes, he’ll just have to come back at another time to see the site completed!)
Planning and pivoting are both practices of our faith, as we serve a God who calls us both to turn and return, and makes all things new along the way.
Together in God’s work of Love,
Pastor Emily
