Do you know this children’s song/story about the adventure of walking through an unknown place where sounds and sights can be both frightening and very fun?! The end always reminds us that there IS a safe place to run to and that when you share the adventure with others it’s not nearly as scary.
I’m sharing this story with you for two reasons:
First, it’s a new year and thus a new opportunity to venture into each day with anticipation and hope (and yes, a healthy dose of fear as well). We will each face both the planned and unexpected personally and professionally and I believe that by faith (as it is written in the children’s story and the Bible) we are strengthened by [God], one another and the mutual sharing of our journey through this life. We have quite a bit of fun as we worship, minister and bring God’s presence to life in our church, our neighborhood, our work places and living spaces and out into the world in mission and service. That’s because God’s joy is present as we rely on the Holy Spirit to guide and sustain us – we realize, accept and welcome God-with-us, Emmanuel, and we decide together to eagerly journey to the starlight of Christ Jesus’ who teaches us to shine God’s love wherever we go. Additionally, we are often complimented by visitors and new friends for the experience of welcome and inclusion that we foster in our community of faith. People are looking for support in times of fear and friends for the celebrations in their lives.
Let us continue to offer openness with sincerity and intention in 2012.
Let us extend the hand of Christian fellowship and the heart of God’s justice for all people as the Spirit moves us in 2012.
Let us create and fill new space with new faces who desire a relationship with God and a community that believes that the joy IS in the journey in 2012!
The second reason for sharing the bear hunt story with you is because I’m going on a trip! Initiated by the grace-filled invitation of Leo Cigale over two years ago, I have been selected along with 45 other clergy from across the country to go on a spiritual journey to the Holy Land in February 2012. The Knight’s Templar have offered clergy this opportunity for a number of years and it is a very special honor to have been nominated and now selected to participate in this special pilgrimage. I look forward to it with an honest fear and a deep hope for fun (and faith building) as this will be my very first trip abroad. I go, knowing that God’s presence, through the Spirit, will continue to sustain and surprise me. And, it won’t be as scary as I might think because I am blessed knowing that I will always have with me the love and safety that God and each of YOU offers me! Thanks be to God!
Peace be with each of you,
Pastor Kelly
P.S. I’m going to share my adventure in February on Facebook so sign up and friend the church page!