So Many Favorites

May 27, 2025

Beloved:
          My favorite month (weather-wise) is very nearly over and it has been practically perfect in every way - save the EF-2 that whizzed far too close to my neighborhood on the 17th.  The air is still so mild and no mosquitoes yet.  My flowerbeds are coming along and the days are so, so looooooooong!  Last night I sat outside with my neighbor until after 9.  Positively delightful!
          But with June come other favorites, like hanging out with my granddaughter at the neighborhood pool.  By the middle of last summer she’d turned into a little frog, leaping off the side all by herself, going underwater, paddling and kicking all around the shallow side in her watermelon life jacket.  This year she’ll start swimming lessons and her baby brother will come with us.
          Also, and of course, Vacation Bible School!  June 9-12, 6-8 PM every evening - with light supper at 5:30 for volunteers and their families.  This year’s theme tracks the story of Joseph in ways kids will enjoy, but even more important than the story itself is the time spent with volunteers from three congregations – UBC, Red Door and, new this year, Sacred Heart Church – who love kids and are committed to building a healthy, loving church experience into their lives and memories.  It’s some of the most important work we do and I love it.  You can help by praying for the work, inviting families you know to attend, giving money to help pay for it (the estimated cost is $700) and by volunteering your time to help during the get-ready week (June 1-8), to make the VBS week a success (June 9-12) or to clean up and reset the church (June 15).  Email us at [email protected] and we will get you in touch with our vbs director.  Even a couple of hours or a few dollars helps.
          Then in July, I get to see my best friend of 41 years, and in August my newest grandbaby turns 1.*  Every month has something to love, something to mark the gift it is to be alive, to belong to a community of good people, and to do good work that matters.  I am grateful to live and work among the likes of you.  ~peace & prayers, pastor annette

*Picture above right – though they’ve lived together his whole 9-month life, the baby just now noticed Watson the dog, and they are pals.