From Our Pastors                                                                                               Are You Paying Attention?

June arrives not just as a change on the calendar, but as a kind of threshold in the life of the church and in our own spiritual journeys. 

We have moved through the great arc of the Christian year—through Lent’s honest self-examination, Easter’s bold proclamation of resurrection, and Pentecost’s fiery reminder that God’s Spirit is alive and moving among us. Now, as the days grow longer and the pace of life subtly shifts, we enter what is often called “Ordinary Time.” But there is nothing ordinary about it. This is the season where faith takes root in the everyday. It is where the extraordinary presence of God meets us in ordinary moments and invites us to live differently because of it. 

June has a way of teaching us this if we are paying attention. 

Gardens begin to take shape. What was once just soil and possibility now shows signs of life—small, persistent growth that happens quietly, often unnoticed day by day. Relationships, too, follow a similar pattern. They are not built in grand, dramatic gestures, but in steady presence, shared time, and genuine care. 

In many ways, this aligns deeply with our ongoing focus as a church on homecoming and building relationships. We are not simply gathering for worship; we are cultivating a community where people are seen, known, and valued. In a world that often feels increasingly fragmented—where divisions seem to deepen and the pace of change can leave us disoriented—the work of relationship becomes sacred work. It is not always easy. It requires patience, humility, and a willingness to listen. It asks us to move beyond surface-level interactions and to engage one another with compassion and curiosity. Yet this is precisely where the Spirit is at work: not in controlling or overpowering ways, but in gentle, persistent invitations toward connection, healing, and wholeness. 

This means that each interaction we have—each conversation, each act of kindness, each choice to show up—becomes an opportunity to participate in God’s ongoing work in the world. The Spirit does not force transformation; it invites us toward it. And often, that transformation begins in the simplest of ways. 

Summer also brings with it a different rhythm of life. Schedules shift. Some travel. Others find themselves with moments of unexpected space. There can be a temptation to disengage, to drift from the practices that ground us. And yet, this season can also be an invitation—not to do more, but to be more attentive. 

What if we saw summer not as a break from our spiritual lives, but as a chance to experience them differently?

Worship might look like sitting by the lake and allowing the stillness to become prayer. It might be found in laughter shared over a meal, in the joy of children playing, or in the quiet beauty of an early morning walk. Creation itself becomes a sanctuary, echoing the truth that God’s presence is not confined to a building, but woven into the fabric of all life. 

At the same time, our gathered life as a church continues to matter deeply. There is something irreplaceable about coming together in worship, about singing, praying, and reflecting as a community. It is in these moments that we are reminded who we are and whose we are. Even as the season invites flexibility, it also calls us to intentionality—to remain connected, to reach out, and to continue nurturing the relationships that sustain us. 

You may notice that the energy of church life looks a little different in the coming months. Some of our ministries take on a lighter schedule, while others emerge in new forms—informal gatherings, shared meals, opportunities to serve, and moments of simple fellowship. These are not lesser expressions of church; they are vital ones. They remind us that being the church is not just about what happens on Sunday morning, but about how we live together throughout the week.

As we move into June, I invite you to consider a few gentle questions: 

• Where is growth happening in your life, even if it feels small or slow? 
• Who are the people you are being called to connect with more deeply? 
• How might you remain open to the Spirit’s movement in the ordinary moments of your day? 

You do not need to have all the answers. Faith, like a garden, unfolds over time. What matters is that we stay present to the journey—that we trust that God is at work within us and among us, even when we cannot fully see the outcome. 

This month, may you find moments of rest that restore your spirit. May you experience connection that reminds you that you are not alone. And may you remain open to the quiet, persistent presence of God—still creating, still inviting, still calling us forward.

Grace and peace, 

Rev. Phil Richards and Rev. Leigh McCaffrey

Worship with us in June 

As we move into June, we step into the long, green season of the church year—a time when faith is not just something we celebrate, but something we live. The excitement of Pentecost reminds us that the Spirit is still moving, still calling, still shaping us into a community of love and purpose. Summer may shift our routines, but it also offers us a beautiful opportunity to reconnect—with God, with one another, and with the deeper rhythms of our lives. 

I invite you to stay connected to worship this month, as each week builds on what it means to live out our faith in real and meaningful ways: 

On June 7, we begin with “The Work Begins,” exploring how Pentecost is not an ending, but a beginning. The Spirit sends us out into the world, inviting us to live our faith beyond the walls of the church. 

On June 14, we reflect on “Growing Into Who We Are.” Like seeds planted in good soil, we are always in the process of becoming. This week reminds us to trust that God is at work within us, even when growth feels slow or unseen. It is also Father’s Day! 

On June 21, we turn to “Courage to Love.” Faith calls us beyond comfort into compassion, inviting us to love boldly and authentically in a world that deeply needs it. 

On June 28, we conclude the month with “Making Room.” Together, we will consider how we create spaces of belonging—within our church and beyond—where all are welcomed and valued. 

Whether you are a longtime member or someone considering a return, there is a place for you here. Your presence matters. Each voice, each story, each person helps shape who we are becoming as a community. 

Join us each Sunday as we gather, reflect, and grow together. And if you find yourself traveling or enjoying the beauty of the season, know that you are always part of this community, wherever you are. 

Let this June be a time of renewal, connection, and quiet transformation. I look forward to worshiping with you.

The June 3rd brainstorming meeting for Children & Youth Ministry

will be postponed to a date in late July.  As soon as the new date is known, 

an announcement will be sent out.  Thank you for your understanding.

☀️ Summer Worship on Zoom ☀️

Wednesdays at 6:30 pm          Beginning June 3^rd

This summer, we’re creating space in the middle of the week to pause, reconnect, and breathe. 

Join us on Zoom each Wednesday evening for a simple, meaningful time of worship designed to ground you in faith and community—no matter where summer takes you.

Each service will be approximately 20–30 minutes and will include:

• A Greeting
• Opening Prayer
• Scripture
• Message
• Joys & Concerns
• Evening Prayer
• Blessing

SAVE THE DATE!