Parish Minister  Mary Katherine Morn

It was wonderful to be back at worship yesterday. When I come back from a vacation that lasts several weeks, I am always surprised at the joy I feel sitting in one of those pink chairs and looking out to see all of you. It was great to be able to catch up with some of you and have a whole new group of visitors to meet. It's also wonderful to be so happy about getting back to work!

Of course that is possible in large part thanks to our summer ministry program. This year we were incredibly fortunate to have John Monroe serving in this role. John offered an enlightening series on our Unitarian Universalist sources, he provided meaningful pastoral care and offered a continuity of ministry in our office. I am personally grateful to him for his ministry. I felt at ease being away knowing he was here. I have also heard from many of you how much you have appreciated his presence.

Please join me this coming weekend following the services for a reception in John's honor. This will be a chance to thank John for his ministry and wish him well as he continues his studies.

And just as we are bidding John thanks for his summer ministry, it is time to welcome this year's Ministerial Intern, Sarah Lenzi. Sarah arrived in Northern Virginia last week with her son Ethan. They moved here from Philadelphia where Sarah was finishing work on her PhD from UPenn. (Sarah did her Masters of Divinity at Harvard.) She will work with us for the next 10 months as our full-time intern. I hope you will help me welcome her.

Each year these late summer transitions help create the sense of a new year beginning. I hope you are looking forward, as I am, to the wonderful possibilities for growing, connecting and serving that we can make in the coming year.