As the weather has begun to turn, I’m so grateful for all the green that is starting to surround us. One of my favorite images of the forest is the idea of the “green cathedral”–the idea that the creation itself can be understood as a sanctuary where God’s presence is felt. If you haven’t yet, take time to soak in God’s gifts and bear witness to the little miracles happening all around us.  

This Sunday is a special day in the life of our church–Senior Graduation Sunday. Each year that we have graduating seniors we want to celebrate them with a special acknowledgement and blessing. This year we are recognizing Aspen Baynes and Josh Delaney who are both graduating from Crestwood High School and getting ready for college in the fall. They are both accomplished in their academic and extracurricular careers and it will be a blessing to celebrate them and express our love for them and their families. Thank you so much to Brian Hurd, Rick Painley, and Dave & Pam Auble for being a part of the planning.  

Also, this Sunday is Mother’s Day and we will certainly recognize all of the women who have helped shape and mold our lives and faith. Whether you will be recognizing an adopted, biological, or spiritual mom this Sunday…we all have a mom and all of us have women in our lives who have made a difference to us. I have included below A Litany for Mother’s Day written by Amy Young for you to read and share as you desire. 

Updates

This week I do not have a lot to report on the building progress, but we ask for your continued patience and prayers. Our MCCC team is doing all we can to keep moving forward and we hope to have the project completed soon.  

Our Open & Affirming Team is receiving postcards and feedback about the proposal. Thank you for participating and if you haven’t had a chance to express your thoughts/opinions, please send in the postcard or reach out to a member of the team. I would also be very glad to meet with you to hear your questions/thoughts and to give you any info you might need. 

As always, please know my door is always open and I hope to see you this Sunday in worship!

Peace in Christ,

Chad

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A Litany for Mother’s Day 

Written by Amy Young

To those who gave birth this year to their first child—we celebrate with you

To those who lost a child this year—we mourn with you

To those who are in the trenches with little ones every day and wear the badge of food stains—we appreciate you

To those who experienced loss this year through miscarriage, failed adoptions, or running away—we mourn with you

To those who walk the hard path of infertility, fraught with pokes, prods, tears, and disappointment—we walk with you. Forgive us when we say foolish things. We don’t mean to make this harder than it is.

To those who are foster moms, mentor moms, and spiritual moms—we need you

To those who have warm and close relationships with your children—we celebrate with you

To those who have disappointment, heart ache, and distance with your children—we sit with you

To those who lost their mothers this year—we grieve with you

To those who experienced abuse at the hands of your own mother—we acknowledge your experience

To those who lived through driving tests, medical tests, and the overall testing of motherhood—we are better for having you in our midst

To those who will have emptier nests in the upcoming year—we grieve and rejoice with you

And to those who are pregnant with new life, both expected and surprising—we anticipate with you

This Mother’s Day, we walk with you. Mothering is not for the faint of heart and we have real warriors in our midst. We remember you.