Midweek Message – March 6 – St. James United Church Dartmouth

Another week rolls around! How can it be Wednesday already.

And how can it be DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME THIS WEEKEND????

Worship this Sunday is a continuation of the Marks of Discipleship Series with a focus on Testimony and specifically on PIE: Public, Intentional & Explicit support of the 2SLGBTQ+ people in our church and community. I am delighted that the Affirming Committee, along with others, are taking pies out to some of the Downtown Dartmouth businesses that display a rainbow sign; they received an enthusiastic response when they visited the Business Association last week! There will be pie after church!

Below is a short survey about combining the annual meeting with worship last week; it would be helpful to get your feedback. It’s the first time I’ve tried a survey in this format, I hope it works.

I’ve been combining worship and annual meeting for at least a decade, maybe more, I realize it’s the first time for St. James and every church has some different customs, even when they are not necessary. For instance, I found out on Tuesday, that appointing signing officers each year is customary for St. James, although not necessary according to United Church polity, so I didn’t think to include that. And neither did anyone else who reviewed the bulletin beforehand. So we learn from feedback.

This is a week where I’ve hit a wall. I’ve missed my day off a few weeks running and added two study groups to my weekly schedule (I LOVE study groups), however, I’m running on empty. Actually, I was running on empty last week already, but with a funeral last Friday, bowing out of anything wasn’t an option. So, I’ve gone home this afternoon, I’m battling a persistent headache/ear ache and sent my regrets to a meeting I was supposed to attend this evening. Looking at my schedule for next week, I have a lot more wiggle room and I’m not doing anything to fill it up, barring emergencies of course!

And despite my fatigue, I rejoice in seeing these outside my front door. Always a bit of a miracle, how can they be reaching for the sun beneath so much snow?