Dear friends in Christ,
Take a deep breath. The scent of fall is in the air-from fresh baked apple pie and pumpkin spice lattes, to wood on the fire – whether at camp or in the fireplace.
The cooler days bring cooler nights – perfect sleeping weather if you like windows open at night. It won’t be long before heat is turned on, windows are closed, and long sleeves, sweaters, sweat-shirts and sweat pants replace the casual days of t-shirts, shorts and flipflops.
We might not always notice these changes as they take place around us. Yet instinctively we know these changes are here present and taking place regardless if we want them to or not.
The church year is similar to the seasons. Subtle (and not so subtle) changes remind us the end of the church year is coming. October ends with Reformation Sunday. On this day, we honor Martin Luther and other reformers who sought to change the understanding of church and faith in its relationship to everyday life. November begins with All Saints Sunday where we remember and give thanks for the life, love and witness of the saints who have gone on before us. Right before Thanksgiving we celebrate Christ the King – an understanding of who Christ is and all he does for us.
November ends with the 1st Sunday of Advent. Yikes!!
In small and not so small ways changes are taking place here at Salem too. Sunday October 11th, Y.A.C.C. will begin. Y.A.C.C. stands for Youth And Collaborative Confirmation. It is open to youth 6th grade and up interested in meeting other youth and learning more about faith and the life of the church.Y.A.C.C will meet twice a month. The 1st meeting will be confirmation instruction. The 2nd meeting will be a youth group focus.Youth who have already been confirmed are invited to attend the 2nd meeting. October’s meetings will be held at Salem.
On October 25th for Reformation Sunday, one service will be held.Sunday School will be from 9:00 to 9:45 that morning, with worship starting at 10:00. Afterwards a congregational conversation will be held on the topic of having one service. Deacon Marsha Roscoe, Assistant to the Bishop, will facilitate the conversation.
I know in conversations I have heard concern that a decision has already been made. No decision has been made, nor will a decision be made during the conversation. The hope of the meeting is for it to be a time of listening to God and one another, to share thoughts/concerns/questions on what is in Salem’s best interest. The topic of having one service has been around for multiple years and never resolved. Knowing this leaves me wondering a few things:
1)Why has a decision not been made in 20 plus years?
2)What do we gain if we move to one service?
What do we lose if we move to one service?
Most importantly:
3)What is God calling us into as we collectively explore this thought together?
Following the Congregational Conversation, a luncheon will be provided by the Worship and Music committee.
I hope and pray you will be able to attend this important conversation on October 25th. If you are unable to attend, or have a concern you would like to address, please share your thoughts in writing with me by Sunday October 18th.
As the season of fall continues to reveal its beauty, may you know “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
Blessing and grace,
Pastor Traci