Peace be with you!

As the night time begins to bring a noticeably cooler breeze, am I doing my best to soak in this August sunshine: emails written from my “home office” on the back porch, socially distanced evening picnics in the park, and trying to keep the tomatoes on the balcony happily watered. 

I’m getting very excited for all that is being planned for Glen Morris United Church this Fall so please keep reading this newsletter for up to date information about worship and more! I hope that this letter finds you in good health and good spirits. 

Coffee Hour and Worship Service- Sunday August 23

Coffee Hour starts at 10 am

Worship at 10:30 am

Thanks to the new possibilities of Zoom, we are continuing to draw our circle wide during worship this August. We are excited to be joined by Knox United Church throughout the entire month and I encourage you to extend this spirit of hospitality even further and feel free to invite a friend or two to join us for worship. The more the merrier! 

This week we will be exploring one of the topics I have spent some time learning about during my study week in July: Emergent Strategy. Haven’t heard of it? Neither had I until very recently and I am very excited to share with you an idea that invites us to find inspiration for how to be the church by learning from all of creation. What lessons have you learned by observing nature?

Worship for August will be held online through zoom using this link, and can be joined by phone: +1 647 558 0588, enter 84186611070# when prompted. 

Supporting the Church

Although we have not been meeting in the church building for quite some time, these past few months have been a time of innovation and have challenged us to rethink the ways that we “do church”. As we continue to explore our options for online worship and adapt to the needs for in-person worship during covid19 your support is needed now as much as always. Please click here for more information on how you can support the church financially. 

A very special thank you to all of those who are finding new and creative ways to bless the church with their time, talent, and treasure. Your support is what makes it possible for us to continue thriving as a church, even in the midst of these challenging times.If you are interested in offering leadership during worship, please be in touch with Michiko about reading scripture or any other idea you have in mind! 

*NEW* Connect with the Minister 

As of this week, I am starting to plan in-person socially distanced visits. Please be in touch if you would be interested in having me visit your front yard or porch in the next little while. Of course, a phone call or meeting by zoom is always an option if that feels best for you. Simply hit “Reply” to this email to get in touch! 

Engage: The ongoing challenges of Covid19

Having a hard time trying to find the words to talk about the ups and downs that come with navigating a world with covid19? This article is a helpful look back at all that has happened this year with some thoughts for what moving forward can look like. 

Things aren’t going to go back to “normal.” There’s no “normal” to go back to.

The Power of Prayer during Covid

Does wearing a mask feel uncomfortable or inconvenient? Take a moment to ground yourself in prayer before you put your mask on with this beautiful prayer. 

Morning Blessing for a Mask by Maren Tirabassi

(placing my mask in my hands)

God, I pray for a blessing on my mask today-

that it may symbolize my love for others,

but not advertise self-righteousness.

May it remind me to pray

for those who have covid 19,

those recovered and marked,

those who mourn,

and remind me to pray for those in health care professions,

and those who struggle with economic loss, essential work, educational choices.

As I hold it in my hands,

may I remember also those with less access to prevention of virus spread,

and those for whom its use is difficult because they connect with people who lip read,

as well as those with face mask anxiety, breathing issues, claustrophobia, or endangerment from profiling.

As I place it on my face,

may it be a reminder to smile all the way up to my eyes,

choose a wink as a fun way to laugh,

limit my words to kind ones,

consider silence,

and sing in my home and my heart,

so I never forget to make music.

Amen.

 

Yours in Christ,

Michiko