Minister’s Musings
Every year we are blessed with February. A much needed, shorter than usual, winter month. This year, this month brings us the worship theme of LOVE to consider. Love is a rather large topic to ponder in such a short month, but I am certain we will find our way through it together.
This February, we will explore the theme of love through the wisdom found in Isaiah – Send Me! We will also explore love through Beatles songs and hear from a few others on the topic … because we are open minded thinkers, we can find wisdom anywhere. William W. Purkey said, “You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching, love like you'll never be hurt, sing like there's nobody listening, and live like it's heaven on earth.” While I agree with this wisdom, I sometimes struggle as I follow it. Instead, I wonder if my moves are smooth, I remember the hurt and I can be reluctant to love again, I want to enjoy singing without masks as I once did before the pandemic, and I too often forget to live as if we live in a heaven on earth. I suppose I am not alone.
Each of us has stumbled on this theme and even more when someone says something like, “God is Love.” What does that mean and what does it mean to be in love… with God or someone or any place or thing? Love is a feeling. We get tingly, joyful, and then excitement floods in. We long to hug each other because it somehow expresses this feeling, but hugging may not be an act we choose to do during a pandemic.
February is also when we gather for our Annual Meeting. We will be asked- how do you show your love for this faith, this church, this beloved community that we share? On February 6th, we will come together after a successful planning retreat in January. Search your hearts and think of how this church has supported you as you reflect on how you want to support this ministry. Your leadership will ask for your help to fuel the flame for the light of this faith we share.
Commitment is at the heart of love and it is a decision based on a combination of feelings and logic. Love and commitment can go hand in hand especially as we make decisions about our future plans. Let us journey together through this important theme and see where it might lead us. In the end, I believe there is more love somewhere.
Peace, Rev. Julie