I’m writing on Memorial Day with a heart full. There is a display of poppies at the Lincoln Memorial with one poppy honoring each man or woman who paid the ultimate price from WWI to now and there are 645,000 poppies. Each of the dead is connected to mothers, fathers, siblings, perhaps a spouse, and children who all bear the trauma. Sometimes I want to scream…How long, O God! No, make that a LOUD prayer, as I won’t blame God, whose very nature and promise is peace.
On May 4th, the CEO from SpireAVL came to church for an open meeting to answer questions about the Sanctuary Lighting and Video proposal. It was helpful to those deliberating and who would be responsible for various aspects of it should it be approved. By the time you read this, a 2nd Town Hall on ZOOM to provide a further opportunity for input and questions from the congregation will be history.
The holiday and Pastor’s preparing for sabbatical caused the Church Council meeting to be canceled in May, with one rescheduled on June 8th, where the Sanctuary Lighting and Video project will be featured on the agenda with another project request to purchase a bus for the CDC, among other items. Trustees & CDC are purchasing a good “new-to-us” screen and projector for the Fellowship Hall from SpireAVL.
Pastor is on sabbatical (renewal) leave starting June 1 and ending July 31. As he said in church on Sunday, we’ll have some preachers who are new to us and some who aren’t. All will bring a word from God. Summer is supposed to be adventurous, so having some familiar faces and voices in the midst is good. Also, if I, or the caring ministry team, can help with an individual or family need, please call the church so we can reach out.
The Trustees’ Saints’ Plaza fundraising project is in full swing! They would like to have each family and/or person who is here as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary purchase a brick “for the community at Community.” I hope you’ll take a look at the flyer and make a decision to purchase a brick!
SPRC was set back when the front-runner candidate for the Director of Children, Youth and Families took another position that provided a direct pathway to ordination (his stated long-term desire). We couldn’t help but be happy about that; however, God always provides and SPRC will keep doing its part to fill this vital position in our church.
The Child Development Center had its first Family Appreciation Dinner in over 3 years (another COVID outcome) and 90 folks were there of all ages. Congrats to Crystal and Beth who were the chefs, and to the teachers who volunteered to make it a real success!
Next week is the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church. Business on behalf of the approximately 600 churches is voted on by the laity and clergy from each church. Nancy Kripner is our Lay Delegate, Charlie Moore serves on the Conference Finance Committee, and I’ll attend with Nancy this year. One of the items of business is voting on the disaffiliating churches. There are 23 at this time.
I’d like to close by once again thanking every person and team who served to make the 5th Sunday Messy Church Ministry & Missions Fair a huge success! It’s a joy to see God pulling us together to celebrate the good things we are given to do in His Name. Thank you again for your passion and continuing ministry.
Blessings, Barb Julian, Lay Leader
