The Back Page
By Wendy Squires
Welcome back. I hope everyone had a wonderful summer. Not normal life yet but just a bit closer to what we would consider normal.
As I look ahead to September there is a glimmer of excitement. I am so looking forward to in-person services. I think back to an article that Darrell wrote and the story of the glowing ember. My ember is in need of being stoked back into a flame, and being together in a worship service will certainly help that along. I am sure that students, parents and teachers are all looking forward to in-class studies this year. And while the possibility of a fourth wave may alter some of these plans, for now I am holding on to the positivity of these changes.
What has kept me going, and I am sure so many others, has been the assurance that while we have been physically separated we continue to be a church family, joined together in the service of God. I would like to thank all those that have consistently thrown out a lifeline of connection over the past many months. I won't name specific people because I would feel terrible to mistakenly leave someone out. So many people work quietly behind the scenes, doing God's work for His glory, not their own. Thank you to all who have maintained support and congregational connections through phone calls. Thank you for the weekly emails that keep me informed and connected to the upcoming events and news of the church congregation.
I will always be a child at heart, so a big thank you to those who engaged all the young and young at heart with children's stories, Godly Play, games night, and of course Vacation Bible School. When VBS was available on-line it was when canning season began in earnest. I so enjoyed my time of chopping, peeling, stirring, and canning as I had my laptop playing with songs, kid vid videos, Bible adventure in the jungle hut, Dr. Diggingstone, games, and Imagination Station all the while being reminded that not only the children but each one of us are “treasured” by God. What a wonderful mindset to be in while slogging through chores. By the way these great sessions are still available for viewing on YouTube until December.
Although off to a bit of a slow start, it has been lovely to catch up around a campfire. At the end of the last one, there were even a few camp songs sung. What a nice way to conclude a time of camaraderie.
I am especially grateful for the services we have been able to have virtually. In the midst of hectic lives, uncertain times, it has been a refreshing pool of peace to find a comfortable chair, don my headphones, and listen to the sermons and worship music. Thank you to all those in front of the cameras and those behind the scenes that made this happen.
You are all my church family, and just like my biological family, I am missing you all terribly. With my personal family I have had the occasional distant socializing with one or two at a time but I dream of the day that I will be able to have a full house with the cacophony of multiple conversations all happening at once, a home filled to the rafters with joyful conversation and love. And I also dream of gathering together with all of you and hearing all of your news and seeing how young ones have grown and hugging those who have suffered loss. We aren't quite fully there yet but I know my ember is glowing just a little bit brighter with just the thought of joining with you in socially distant, but in-person service. In the meantime keep those lifelines cast out and can't wait to see you on September 12th.
