All Hallows Eve, 2019
Dear Friends,
Many of you know that I recently had a birthday. And as this was a “significant” birthday, there was much made of it. On the morning of my special day I had the great pleasure of sitting in the pew while enjoying a wonderfully lay-led worship service, and was treated to a great rendition (and full history) of a traditional birthday song. The next day my son Andrew appeared unexpectedly from NC and escorted me to a “surprise” birthday party.
The surprise was not so much that there was a party – Linda had to convince me to be at a particular place at a particular time. No, the great surprise was the many people who were present at that gathering. From a childhood friend of almost 50 years, to church folk, to friends I've made here in this community, and the many people in between, many parts of my life were gathered together there. People who took time out of their day, or added a few hours to it, for a little celebration. It was humbling. And it was great, great fun!
Moments like this can invite reflection on the various communities we find ourselves a part of, communities that we sometimes help create, and those we stumble into by sheer luck – or we might say, by the grace of God. So it was a day for me to give thanks for the many blessings of my life: for loving family and dear friends, for communities gathered by faith and communities gathered by geography or avocation. I have been deeply, deeply blessed along the way to share in such kind and loving communities, and am grateful to you all for your place in my life.
Another thing that happens at “significant” birthdays is that people get curious. “You're 60! What's next? Are you thinking about something else, looking ahead toward retirement?” Perhaps for fear of what I might say (one way or the other) no “church people” have asked me this question, but a handful of others did. The short answer is No. I love what we are doing together here at Second Christian. God has accomplished a great deal through us over these last 17 years, and I believe we are still doing good ministry together, and that God has plans for even greater things as we grow our community of love and care here in Kittery and into the world around us.
See you along the Way,
Brad
Dear Friends,
Many of you know that I recently had a birthday. And as this was a “significant” birthday, there was much made of it. On the morning of my special day I had the great pleasure of sitting in the pew while enjoying a wonderfully lay-led worship service, and was treated to a great rendition (and full history) of a traditional birthday song. The next day my son Andrew appeared unexpectedly from NC and escorted me to a “surprise” birthday party.
The surprise was not so much that there was a party – Linda had to convince me to be at a particular place at a particular time. No, the great surprise was the many people who were present at that gathering. From a childhood friend of almost 50 years, to church folk, to friends I've made here in this community, and the many people in between, many parts of my life were gathered together there. People who took time out of their day, or added a few hours to it, for a little celebration. It was humbling. And it was great, great fun!
Moments like this can invite reflection on the various communities we find ourselves a part of, communities that we sometimes help create, and those we stumble into by sheer luck – or we might say, by the grace of God. So it was a day for me to give thanks for the many blessings of my life: for loving family and dear friends, for communities gathered by faith and communities gathered by geography or avocation. I have been deeply, deeply blessed along the way to share in such kind and loving communities, and am grateful to you all for your place in my life.
Another thing that happens at “significant” birthdays is that people get curious. “You're 60! What's next? Are you thinking about something else, looking ahead toward retirement?” Perhaps for fear of what I might say (one way or the other) no “church people” have asked me this question, but a handful of others did. The short answer is No. I love what we are doing together here at Second Christian. God has accomplished a great deal through us over these last 17 years, and I believe we are still doing good ministry together, and that God has plans for even greater things as we grow our community of love and care here in Kittery and into the world around us.
See you along the Way,
Brad