There is something about the first full week of the New Year that is difficult. For some of us the new year brings with it a few fears; the bills from Christmas start appearing, it’s suddenly tax season and oh by the way… you’re going to have another birthday this year, which as I approach my 6th decade of life makes me want to quit counting. For students, teachers, a lot of parents and those of us who are in some way connected to the schedule of some school (or other) it’s realizing the break you’ve really been looking forward to is over.
Last night was the first Wednesday night back after what we might call our Christmas break. For much of Tuesday we were wondering if (holding out hope that) we would be extending this break one more week. We have posted a policy that says whenever Eden Prairie Public School cancels classes, we cancel our activities that evening also. This includes choir and any classes as well as youth activities. The problem last night was that we have several school districts represented in our congregation and although Eden Prairie did not cancel school a few other surrounding districts did.
It was interesting to observe the moods of those who had school alongside those who did not. You can imagine that those who did not, were a bit more shall we say upbeat and those who did were shall we say… not so much. I don’t know if that had to do with being happy to have something to do after the end of a day or… one having more things to do after a very long day.
Last night reminds me that we all show up at Church from different times, spaces and places. Some of us are just having a regular normal day. For others we are in the middle of some important time in our life, maybe we are still grieving the death of someone we recently lost, maybe getting together with the family over Christmas has caused some sort of dysfunction to resurface. Last night one guy told me that since he had a whole day to catch up on homework, his mother suggested coming to church was a good idea. Some of us are just happy to be here, some of us are not sure why we are here and others are just showing up because it’s our routine
I’ve said this many times, but at the beginning of the year it bears repeating; We need each other. And in a church family you are showing up not only for what you are anticipating but because I am convinced, someone else needs you to show up.
These days there may be a few more ways to show up. For some, Sunday morning is just not possible for you and so you stay connected through friends, our website, maybe this memo every week. However you do it, I want to encourage and/ or challenge you to show up to be connected not just for yourself or your family but because some how some way someone else needs you to. In our consumer driven, “What is in it for me?” culture this is an important distinction for us to remember as we begin our new year together.
Keep the Faith!
Pastor Dan
Last night was the first Wednesday night back after what we might call our Christmas break. For much of Tuesday we were wondering if (holding out hope that) we would be extending this break one more week. We have posted a policy that says whenever Eden Prairie Public School cancels classes, we cancel our activities that evening also. This includes choir and any classes as well as youth activities. The problem last night was that we have several school districts represented in our congregation and although Eden Prairie did not cancel school a few other surrounding districts did.
It was interesting to observe the moods of those who had school alongside those who did not. You can imagine that those who did not, were a bit more shall we say upbeat and those who did were shall we say… not so much. I don’t know if that had to do with being happy to have something to do after the end of a day or… one having more things to do after a very long day.
Last night reminds me that we all show up at Church from different times, spaces and places. Some of us are just having a regular normal day. For others we are in the middle of some important time in our life, maybe we are still grieving the death of someone we recently lost, maybe getting together with the family over Christmas has caused some sort of dysfunction to resurface. Last night one guy told me that since he had a whole day to catch up on homework, his mother suggested coming to church was a good idea. Some of us are just happy to be here, some of us are not sure why we are here and others are just showing up because it’s our routine
I’ve said this many times, but at the beginning of the year it bears repeating; We need each other. And in a church family you are showing up not only for what you are anticipating but because I am convinced, someone else needs you to show up.
These days there may be a few more ways to show up. For some, Sunday morning is just not possible for you and so you stay connected through friends, our website, maybe this memo every week. However you do it, I want to encourage and/ or challenge you to show up to be connected not just for yourself or your family but because some how some way someone else needs you to. In our consumer driven, “What is in it for me?” culture this is an important distinction for us to remember as we begin our new year together.
Keep the Faith!
Pastor Dan
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