Hello, church,

 

Have you heard of the Bothell chickens? At some point in not-too-distant history, someone loosed a lot of chickens in the park by the river near my house, and now we have at lot of "wild chickens" living there. One of them, a rooster, has broken away from the rest and come to live on my block.

 

I have no idea why, but this brilliantly-colored bird with shimmering feathers has taken up residence in a driveway just a few doors down. I've come to depend on seeing him each day--this beautiful creature living unexpectedly alongside us. And I've grown accustomed, now, to waking to his morning crowing. It is more faithful than my alarm clock!

 

Something about that rooster gives me daily joy. Maybe it's his unabashed loudness every morning! Or maybe it's his reminder that life goes on, and begins again, with each new day. When going through a trying time---as we are at EUMC right now, with the painful transition in our music ministry---that reminder is especially welcome.

 

We will get through this time. Last week, within hours of the receiving the letter to the congregation, EUMC musicians came in my office and volunteered to do whatever might be needed to keep us going. That same night, in a meeting with the Chancel Choir, people were incredibly gracious to each other---as someone said, "We are a family." And so many of you have sent notes expressing kindness, concern, and faithful commitment to our life together as a congregation.

 

I tell you, I am proud to be your pastor. Your generosity of spirit, respect for one another in the midst of differing opinions, and willingness to trust your elected leaders make me think of that rooster in my neighborhood. You are beautiful, surprising, and stubbornly committed to life!

 

I am writing this from San Diego, where I have come to pick up my oldest grandson and bring him home. This weekend we will be driving a U-Haul truck packed with his belongings up the I-5 corridor. I will be back at church on Wednesday morning.

 

I will think of you on Sunday, which will be a wonderful day at church. Our own Rev. Marilyn Littlejohn will be preaching--you won't want to miss that! There will be a blessing of the shawls lovingly created by the knitters in our shawl ministry. And the Chancel Choir will sing! I hope you will come on this 3-day weekend not only to worship God, but also to support those who are so graciously leading worship.

 

This Sunday, too, you can sign up for ChristCare groups (they begin next week). You are also invited to attend a half-hour presentation about the Faith Action Network (FAN), which will take place after each service. For more about FAN and our upcoming vote about whether EUMC should become part of it, see the latest issue of the Guidelights on our church website.

 

I am sending this with gratitude and love for you.

 

Every blessing, 

 

Pastor Kathlyn