Our summer sabbatical journey is well underway and it has been wonderful hearing the different voices from the pulpit each week. The meditations have been insightful and inspiring. We’ve been guiding and encouraging one another along the way, in Sharon’s absence, and it’s been a good journey so far. It occurs to me that our church family is strong and interwoven, like designs in Celtic artwork. Celtic weavings and knot work speak to the interconnectedness of life. It is good to pause and feel grateful for the strength, joys and blessings our RUCC community has because of the ways our lives are woven together. Of course, the Spirit of Christ intertwines our tapestry of people, breathing new life, and refreshment into our sabbatical time.
Our Summer Series will be starting soon, on Sunday June 29th. I hope that you will find time to read some of the books that have been chosen for discussion. The featured book for the 29th is The Sabbath, by Abraham Joshua Heschel. Bill Maury Holmes will guide us in conversation that evening. Heschel conveys a passionate, reverential sense of the holiness of the Sabbath. It may help us to appreciate our own special time for rest and reflection this summer.
We have some wonderful books to share this season, but the main focus of the Summer Series will be getting to know one another better, and enjoying some food, fellowship and fun. I am looking forward to spending time with all of you there.
I attended the Southern California Nevada Conference UCC Annual Gathering in Glendale, June 19-21. Mary Belle Carter and John Walsh attended as delegates for our church. Rich and Kathie Blakely were also there. We are all looking forward to sharing a few of the highlights of the gathering with you. The theme this year was “God is Still Weaving.” This is a reference to Ephesians 4:15-16, which speaks of the community of Christ being joined and knit together. This seems to compliment the celebration of the interconnectedness of life which is found in Celtic spirituality. Our church is stronger and more beautiful because of the many strands of diversity lovingly braided together.
Blessings & Peace~
