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Pastor Annette's Blog

"OF ALL THE THINGS GOD HAS SHOWN ME, I CAN SPEAK BUT A LITTLE WORD NOT MORE THAN A HONEYBEE CAN CARRY AWAY ON ITS FOOT FROM AN OVERFLOWING JAR."
~ MECHTHILD OF MAGDEBURG, 13TH CENTURY MYSTIC

Precious Pigeons

11/8/2016

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Beloved:

    I know one pastor who calls her congregants pigeons instead of lambs.  She says she prefers the strutty way pigeons carry themselves to the docility of sheep.  I do love reading her blog, counting myself among them when she writes, “I’ve some news to share, my darling pigeons . . . .”  Both are metaphorical flocks anyway.  What matters is they’re precious; sheep to their shepherds, pigeons to their fanciers (yep, that’s what they are called), and people to their pastors.

    Our little flock will say good-bye to one of our own this week.  A sister whose long struggle finally turned to peace.  Her pain to joy.  I couldn’t be happier for her and I hope to miss her well.  By enjoying dogs and flowers and the outdoors.  By doing useful work. – She once reattached the headlight in my pickup truck with a paperclip.  It lasted 3 years. – By doing for others and being generous with my time.  By holding my tongue even when I feel strongly about something.  By forgiving people who didn’t ask me to.  By being brave.  By laughing at other people’s jokes.  By quietly adding beauty to the places to which I am invited.  She once thanked me in a way that still brings me to tears whenever I remember it.
 
    Her life was a great gift to mine.  I hope to be worthy of it.  And worthy of this vocation too.  Shepherd, fancier or pastor ~ I am so humbled and so grateful to spend my life at so high and so precious a vocation.
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    I write a Tuesday morning devotional to members and friends of UBC.  It is also posted here. 
     
    Enjoy!  
    Pastor Annette

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    Everything on this site is licensed under a Creative Commons license, which gives you permission to copy freely, provided that you attribute the work to me, that you use the work for non-commercial purposes, and that you do not produce derivative works.

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  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Staff
    • Annette Hill Briggs, Pastor
    • Rob Drummond ~ Music Minister
  • Listen & Read
    • Sermons
    • Pastor's Blog
    • #ITSYOURCHURCHTOO >
      • About >
        • When & Where?
        • Ministries >
          • Worship >
            • Music
            • Worship Arts
            • Worship Resources
          • Fellowship >
            • Wednesday Night Supper
            • Church Recipes
          • Service >
            • MCUM Collections
            • Habitat for Humanity Project
          • Vacation Bible School
        • Our Story >
          • Denomination
          • Who We Are
        • Contact
        • Calendar
    • Social Media Feed
  • Give
  • Newsletter