Happy spring church family!
I pray you are well and that your spirits are intact. You are always on my mind and in my heart.
I like thinking about the spirit of seasons too. Personally, I need spring’s spirit, with its promise of regeneration, new life and light, after a season of quiet, fallow time. It teaches me to hold out hope and look closely–for nothing is ever really lost. Buds are everywhere right now. Have you seen them?
I am really looking forward to Easter service this Sunday. It will be wonderful to see our sanctuary adorned with your spring flowers, and filled with the music of our choir and the many musicians who will join us for this special service. It’s supposed to be a beautiful day–maybe you will take the time to wander around our memorial garden and delight in its seen and unseen blossoming beauty a bit.
In good bursting-forth fashion I am feeling particularly grateful for all that has come to fruition here at First Parish. Our Annual Appeal was a huge success, with pledges exceeding our goal; we recently welcomed in seven new members to our community; the children’s area up at the front of the sanctuary has been expanded to make room for all the young ones who continue to bless our church on Sunday mornings; over 50 of you took the time to fill out our 8th Principle inspired survey about what our church building says about welcome; your RE Hiring Team continues to work diligently to find our new Director of Lifespan Faith Exploration with more applicants than they ever dreamed possible; our choir continues to grow and the music ministry of this church keeps bursting out of the ground not unlike those yellow daffodils outside! I could keep going.
Simply put, you astound me. On April 23rd we will gather for our Annual Meeting. One need only read the report, which I hope all of you will do when it’s made available, to be astounded by the myriad ministries whose deep roots and wide canopies keep us sheltered, and whose burgeoning blossoms keep us growing. We have so much to be grateful for.
I’m looking forward to celebrating this season with you and feel so very blessed to be your minister.
With love,
Rev. Sophia
Reverend Sophia Lyons
Rev. Sophia is committed to radical welcome and spreading the good news that is our bold Unitarian Universalist faith. Some of her areas of interest include interfaith partnerships, addictions ministry, spiritual direction, and working towards collective liberation for all. Rev. Sophia aspires to live her life and fulfill her ministry guided by spiritual seeking, big love, and the seven principles of Unitarian Universalism.