Spring & summer worship plans
Despite this week’s rain and cooler temperatures, we are now 2/3 through astronomical spring. The end of the school year is in sight, a holiday weekend upon us, and we are officially in the season of year-end-celebrations.
Below is a roadmap for our worship schedule through the end of June. As we’ve done in recent years, we will again be worshipping outside and offline for the month of July and the first two weeks of August. While we recognize the disconnection this causes for those who rely on the livestream, it provides a summer sabbath for the tech team, musicians, worship planners, and worship leaders. This helps to keep the weekly livestream and robust worship experience sustainable throughout the rest of the year. We appreciate your understanding. If you have suggestions for other means of remote connection throughout the summer, please let me know.
I also want to formally announce that I will be taking a brief renewal leave from August 15-September 14. In discernment with and blessing from Listeners, Trustees, Worship Ministry, and Church Council, I’ll be stepping out of the pulpit for 5 Sundays to tend to both spiritual renewal and family transitions. Renewal leave (4 weeks) is permitted within the United Methodist Church for full-time clergy every four years. This will be my first time in seven years availing myself of the opportunity, and I have timed it to coincide with the start of a new school year. Both of my children are moving to new schools with shorter hours; I welcome the gift to be more present to them as they make their transitions.
More information will follow about all this, but for now, mark your calendars for the special events coming up in the next six Sundays.
Pastor Jen
May 25 - Memorial Day Sunday worship. 45-minute prayer service with no livestream. Birthday bank offering.
June 1 - Communion service and kickoff to Pride Month.
June 8 - Pentecost worship with baptism, confirmation recognition, and music ministry celebration.
June 15 - Father’s Day, Christian Education recognition (children will lead worship), Missions’ ministry offering for Church World Service (blankets for the world)
June 22 - Reflections from the UCC & UMC Annual Conferences
June 29 - Graduate recognition (please send names of 8th grade, high school, college, etc. grads). Last live-streamed service before outdoor summer series begins. Birthday bank offering.
