HELLO!

If you ever wonder what it’s like to be a minister, showing up on a Sunday morning, getting ready to lead worship, to preach, to engage persons who are both familiar and new, especially those encounters that include pastoral care encounters, today might be a revelation to you. As I walked into the church this is the note I found. How would you respond?

I will say the theme of our service today “take my yoke upon you…and you will find rest for your souls” seemed to resonate, especially when I ended the sermon by referencing James, how he is part of the “yoke” binding us together in service to our community, to each other. Here is the service link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_Xud0LoIg8

Today also included Kaitlin and Chelsea’s wedding. Here is the service: https://u.pcloud.link/publink/show?code=XZQw4i5ZEHmfheEwyCjaiFSguRMOa45MQj37 What a glorious time it was! June played beautifully, the AV team had all the images and words necessary to help highlight the Spirit of love, Jerry was a great and inclusive MC, and the reception team, provided a delicious meal with a generous presence of hospitality.

For those who don’t know Kaitlin and Chelsea, I have come to know them through their gifts of the Spirit. Kaitlin keeps her Bible open, if you surprise her in the office, she is often referring to a passage that has inspired her, opened her eyes, something she feels called to pray over. Often, this reflection leads to a revelation about someone she is caring for, someone on her heart. I have seen Kaitlin sit in the office, with grieving persons, with people in heartache, she is listening, she is praying. I met Chelsea at the interview that brought me to Woodlawn. I remember asking her about one of her tattoos. It was a whale. She lit up like a Christmas tree, her love of whales was emotional, thoughtful, scientific and spiritual. Later I found out she travels to Brier Island to watch, advocate for, and protect whales. This love is so powerful others see it too. Donna Jackson heard Chelsea talking to the children about whales in church and asked her to speak to the Coffee House, persons with special needs. The participants hung on her every word, the videos of whales opened our eyes to God’s gift of Creation, I recall Chelsea telling us whales sing to us. You could see the love in her green eyes.

In Christian marriage, they share their love for each other, they help each other to grow. Love is an expanding gift, it grows from two, to friends and family, to strangers. We celebrate how wide this circle will grow.

Peace, Kevin