08/14/2026
Dear Grace,
I have to begin with the Blessing of the Backpacks last Sunday. What a scene it was. And yes, I know. It was a little loud, a little crazy, and there was a moment or two when I think most of us felt just slightly overwhelmed by something none of us quite saw coming. But is that not what the gospel has always looked like? Think of Pentecost, when everyone was speaking their own language at once and yet, by the work of the Spirit, everyone understood. Noisy, crowded, unpredictable, occasionally overwhelming, and yet utterly unmistakable in this one respect: you can tell that something good is happening in us and through us. For me, at least, last Sunday was full of moments exactly like that. Thanks be to God. As I write this on Thursday morning, our children are heading off for their first day of school. So once again may God bless every one of them and holding them safely.
Meetings, meetings, meetings! I counted this week, and including the clergy picnic last Sunday afternoon, there were nine different meetings and gatherings on my calendar. Am I busy? Some days it certainly feels that way. But please don't get me wrong, because I am grateful for every one of them! The truth is that delegation has been a long standing keyword for me, and honestly, something closer to homework. For years I was captive to the myth of "getting things done," convinced that the fastest and simplest way to finish anything was to sit down and finish it myself. Over time that proved to be a dangerous way to live. It cost more than it gained, for me personally, for my family, and for the whole community of the church. Which is why I love sitting down with you to talk things through, share ideas, and listen to one another with an open heart and an open mind. Come to think of it, that sounds familiar, right? Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors. That is who we are as United Methodists.
Having said that, let us bring those open hearts with us this Sunday, because after worship on August 16th we are hosting A Taste of Grace, our Ministry Fair. I will say more about this on Sunday, but here is the heart of it. When you carry the load of one of the many things that happen around our church, inside our walls and well beyond them, it is possible to find yourself wondering why you are the one doing a job nobody else seems to be doing. I would rather we saw it differently. This is less a set of tasks that somebody has to get done and more a question of how we let the world know about the enormous grace God has poured out on us, all that love and mercy and generosity, instead of quietly enjoying it by ourselves. And I think it works something like word of mouth. Say you had a wonderful and even memorable meal at a restaurant. Then what happens next? You tell people about it. You bring a friend along next time. You try the recipe at home and feed it to the people you love. You swap stories about that place over coffee with others. You buy someone a gift card so they can taste it too. None of that means you are on the payroll. It means you fell in love with the place. Now, I am not saying the church is a restaurant, but you know what I am getting at, right? There are many things on the menu, and there are all kinds of ways for you to taste, share, and tell. I hope you all come enjoy A Taste of Grace with us this Sunday!
One of the most memorable parts of the last two weeks has been our two ninety minute Sermon Starters sessions on Wednesday mornings. It is true, we have a lot of small groups around here, and I could not be prouder of that. And Sunday school starts back up on August 23rd on top of it. But these Wednesday mornings are becoming a genuine routine for me, and they help my Sunday sermon preparation enormously. Part of that is the preparation itself, working through the lectionary texts, making connections, chasing down questions, letting my own thinking stretch. But the larger part is spending ninety minutes turning the passages over with you and hearing your stories inside them. We meet at 10:30 a.m. in the church library. Will you come and share your wisdom with us?
Two weeks have already gone by, which means youth group meets again this Sunday afternoon at 5:00 p.m., (and will start eating at 5:15 p.m.) I am so glad. Just watching these students gather, eat and drink together, laugh and talk and make noise, and find their own meaning in their own way, makes me happy. And then there is the running around on the lawn before we say goodnight. Your children and grandchildren are more than welcome, of course, and if you would be willing to serve as a driver, please let me or Dave H. know. On that note, if you have not completed your Safe Sanctuary training yet, here is a good opportunity: our good neighbor Aldersgate UMC is hosting a session on August 28th, at 9:30 a.m. If you want to join the session, please let me know or call 815-654-3800 for RSVP.
Thank you to everyone who has signed up to bring side dishes and desserts for the church picnic on Sunday, August 23rd. I hear the worship committee is taking care of hot dogs and pulled pork, and I am expecting a wonderful time! I want to spend as much of what is left of this summer with you as I can. We are planning something special for that morning, and one note about logistics: because of live streaming and seating, we will worship in the sanctuary as usual and then head over to Centennial Hall together afterward. I hope we all can enjoy the last bit of summer together!
Grateful for God's blessings,
Pastor CJ
