NOTES FROM PASTOR  - May 2009

Reflecting

“Since you have accepted Christ Jesus as Lord, live in union with him. Keep your roots deep in him, build your lives on him, and become stronger in your faith, as you were taught. And be filled with thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7

 So much has already happened in this Jubilee year: the fifties dance, the Easter breakfast....

-the quilts (special thank you to Bev Bryant --the Easter one brings a special glow to the sanctuary; thanks also to Joani Laginess and Jeanne Ross).

 Our soup and salad suppers during Lent seemed to have an extra joy.

 It feels needless to say that our celebrations in Holy Week and Easter morning were powerful since they always are, but they too were special.

 What a delight it was to officially welcome Melissa and Bob Peoples to our community of faith at the Vigil!

 What an amazing job our Sunday School did of presenting Jonah!

 St. Mark Day was not one of our ‘official’ anniversary activities, but it had the same energy and joy. It was great fun to have our what-some-might-call-belated egg hunt. And special thanks to Joelle, Shelby and Cody for participating in the egg smash!

 We are still in the midst of our Chalice Meetings, but already it is clear that these have been profound opportunities to think and speak together about our ministry. I do intend to get the Renegotiation Team together in May – if interested, le me know.

 In the midst of so many things, I want to offer three special words of thanks: to Miriam Schrock for playing on April 18 and hosting a Chalice Meeting; thanks also to the Wallman’s for hosting another of the meetings; and special thanks to Tiffany Kelly taking the lead in organizing our Sunday School cupboards.

There has been a lot to reflect on. Obviously, ministry did not stop with Easter morning, nor will it stop when the season of Easter ends. Mark your calendars with these special events for service and celebration.

Ypsilanti Pride Day May 16: We are getting a group together to participate in this morning of community clean-up!

Baptism of Jonathin Scarberry on May 10. We will rejoice to receive Amanda Palmer’s son into this family of faith.

Confirmation – Shelby Hepner will mark this significant moment in her journey of faith through the Affirmation of Baptism on May 17.

Faith Inkubators “Calling Parents as Partners” on May 12 at Hope Lutheran Church in Farmington Hills. (see below for more information)

There are even more events as we look ahead to June – on June 4, MOSES will have a training event at Greater Grace.

On June 7, congregations of the Southeast Michigan Synod will gather at Salem Memorial for our annual BRRICK worship service. The Covenants of Racial Reconciliation (which we approved on April 26) will be consecrated that day. This will be a powerful worship service, and will begin at 3:30.

In all these events, there is one overarching theme: “living in union with Christ Jesus as Lord.” As we reach out to the community and reach in to support one another in the journey of faith, we are building our lives on him. We are building on our history of fifty years – to a future that is strong.

 In Christ, with thanksgiving,

 Pastor Julianne R. Smeck