Thoughts Along the Way . . .

As you are reading this I am enjoying a week in Montana on Flathead Lake at Wilderness Dances of Universal Peace Camp. I don’t really know what heaven is like, but I hope it is something like this. I am with about 100 of the most open-hearted people I know and together we are singing and dancing and praying and playing barefoot on grass under a beautiful open air tent decorated with Tibetan prayer flags. Around the center support pole are guitars and drums and flutes. And flowing in and around and through the entire experience is the tangible presence of Spirit. I am grateful beyond words for opportunities such as this.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Thoughts Along the Way . . .

We live in a time of transition. This is true for this congregation right now as the Pastoral Search Committee starts considering candidates. This is true for me as I start contemplating what comes next for my journey. The wind of God’s Spirit is blowing and there is change in the air. And this is always true. It is, perhaps, more obvious when we find ourselves in circumstances such as an active Search process. But it is always true. This Sunday is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, as our journey around the sun moves us into yet another seasonal transition. To live is to experience transition. What was is no more. What will be is not yet. Each moment is new. And such change can be uncomfortable because it reminds us that we are not ultimately in control. Life happens. I invite you to remember that in the midst of the change we are not alone. We are never alone. God’s ever-present Spirit abides with us and journeys through the transitions with us. And because of this reality I have the utmost of confidence that we are headed into a bright and glorious future. May we enjoy the ride.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Our Budget as Faith Statement

On Sunday, June 28th we will gather after worship for the congregation’s annual meeting to approve the budget for the coming fiscal year. The centerpiece of the discussion will be a multi-page document filled with columns of numbers. As you read through all those numbers I invite you to remember that it is so much more than a financial spreadsheet. Each of the numbers represents the hopes, aspirations and priorities of this congregation as together we plan for the ministry opportunities we will engage in during the coming year. It is easy to get bogged down in the details, especially when we are talking about money. And it is really important for us to keep the bigger picture before us. Our budget is a faith statement which spells out the ways in which we believe God is calling and empowering us to impact the world around us. It might look like a page full of numbers, but if you look closer you will begin to recognize it as a prayer of hope and gratitude. May we continue to be God’s faithful people who are alive and at work in the world.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Thoughts Along the Way . . .

Summer is upon us and with it comes a change of pace. For some folks summer is a time to shift into a slower gear. For others it doesn’t really slow down but it does provide for different opportunities. Around the church we take a break from some of the things we do the rest of the year – Tuesday Book Group, Sunday School and Choir, to name just a few. But one thing that doesn’t change is the importance of staying connected – with God and with each other. Whatever shape your summer takes, whether it is picnics at the beach, time in the garden, or travel with family and friends, remember to be on the lookout for encounters with the Sacred. Savor the gift of slowing down so you might recognize the surprising ways in which God is seeking to get your attention. Join us for worship when you’re in town and let us know what you’re up to when you’re away so we can hold you in prayer. Make it a spiritual practice to expand your awareness of the many ways in which God accompanies you as you travel through your days. May your summer be filled with holy encounters, and may you notice.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Thoughts Along the Way . . .

The abundance of God’s Grace surrounds us in every moment. But often that abundance is spoken in a whisper. To really experience the gift requires that we pay attention – not just to the “big moments” but to all of the small, subtle, understated moments as well. When I remember to engage in this profound spiritual practice my life is transformed. Every moment becomes a gift just waiting to be unwrapped. So, here it is in five steps – an ongoing practice in which the journey is the destination.

~ Five Steps To More Abundant Living ~

1) Show Up

2) Be Present

3) Pay Attention

4) Practice Gratitude

5) Repeat

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)