LOOKING UP, May 26, 2010

Dear Friends,

What a beautiful Pentecost Sunday we experienced at First Church. Rev. Julie Dix gave her final sermon, titled “Just the Right Words.” They were indeed carefully chosen and heartfelt in their delivery. Julie is a gifted preacher, among her many talents, and her thoughtful and challenging messages have fed my soul and stretched my mind again and again over these past five years.

In the pulpit and in the classroom, Julie has touched so many of us with her vibrant faith, and her concern for making the connections with every day life. Practical application, “head-heart-hands,” is a hallmark of the Wesleyan way of being Christian, and Julie focuses on that with both skill and passion. Those who have shared in Bible study, church history, and various lenten classes have deep appreciation for both her knowledge and methodology. No dull lectures from Julie, everyone becomes an active learner and enjoys it!

Julie’s excellent work with the Children and Families Ministry Team in developing and strengthening our Sunday School is yet another noteworthy accomplishment. Our children enjoy coming to class. ..their teachers are well prepared... parents have confidence their youngsters are well cared for and growing in their relationships with God and one another. This is all so very important to the present and future wellbeing of First Church, and it is good!

While Julie has had a limited role in weddings, funerals and hospital calling, she has nevertheless offered a less visible kind of pastoral care that has touched many persons with compassion and support in times of crises. Such relationships are always held dear and gratefully remembered.

So it is with thanksgiving and appreciation that we bid “Farewell and Godspeed” to Julie Dix as she moves on to new responsibilities and exciting challenges. Thank you, dear friend, for the great work and quality ministry you have shared with us!

If you were in worship last Sunday, you surely were touched by colorful candles, streamers, and even a white dove “flying” high above the congregation. It was a visual feast, and our ears were “treated” as well by a lovely chiming sound coming from the balcony. Both First Singers and the Chancel Choir offered stirring anthems, and organ selections were mighty and grand. Thanks to all of you who made this Pentecost, the church’s birthday, and Julie’s farewell so very special.

If you haven’t yet offered a love gift or a note of appreciation to Julie, it is not too late to do so. (Letters may be sent to Christi Landreville, and gifts to Linda Lueth.)

Many of you have asked about a replacement for Julie, and while that is the responsibility of SPRC, I can assure you they are working on it. The process is well underway, and if all things work together for good, an announcement may be forthcoming in the next week or two. Please keep this need in prayer, as it is so important for the vitality of our Sunday School program.

Annual Conference for West Michigan United Methodists is next week, Thursday, June 3 through Sunday, June 6 at Calvin College in Grand Rapids. Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m., retirees will be honored during “Marking Sacred Time.” That’s also when those who are to be commissioned and ordained are introduced, so there’s a wonderful connection between beginnings and endings, entrances and exits.

Jane and I have five minutes for our shared retirement speech. So much to say in so little time—a few memories and a great many thank yous, sprinkled with a few tears and a lot of laughs (hopefully!) Pray for us.

As Rev. Julie Kline and Rev. Sandy Elfring lead you all in worship the next day, June 6, they will be using some very beautiful new chalices in the Sacrament of Holy Communion. A gift of Rev. Ron and Carol Grant, they were created by Eric Strader, a potter from Goshen, Indiana who has displayed his work in the Kalamazoo Art Fair for several years.

Because Ron has often assisted in serving communion by intinction, he was well aware that our current chalices are very shallow and need frequent refilling. The new ones are deep and wide and will surely be useful vessels, literally and figuratively, a “means of grace.” Thanks to the Grants for this generous gift that enhances our worship of God at the table of our Lord.

The Memorial Day weekend is upon us, ushering in the delightful summer season as well as our schedule of one service only at 10 a.m. That means some come earlier, others later, and everyone gives a little for the good of all.

If you’re going to be away for the Memorial Day holiday, then I’ll look forward to seeing you on Sunday, June 13 for my farewell celebration. I doubt that I’ll have the “last word,” but it will be my final sermon at First Church, and it will be considerably longer than five minutes. Oh, the stories I could tell...but not all of them!

Hopefully,   

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