We also continue our efforts to raise a smaller sum for the Black College Fund, in honor of the music passed down to us by black persons who were enslaved. Songs such as Swing Low, Sweet Chariot and There is a Balm in Gilead are gifts of faithful persons who faced painful and traumatic circumstances, and these persons were never compensated for their efforts, musical or otherwise. In honor of their gifts to the church, and in repentance for the ways the church supported slavery in that time, please consider supporting the continuing education of some of the young people descended from other enslaved persons. Craig’s whiteboard will help us to track these efforts as well.

And finally, we are looking forward to our church picnic! Details are provided elsewhere in this newsletter, and we are looking forward to a time of love and laughter and good food. By the way, this would be an excellent, low-pressure event for your friends and neighbors to attend—they can find out that church people know how to relax and have fun together!

Looking forward to Sunday—I’ll see you in church!

Becky

Prayer

Loving God,

As we go about our days and our weeks,

Working to support our families or causes that are important to us,

Let us remember that you also invite us to rest.

That there is a rhythm to life,

And it’s not all about production.

We have rest and enjoyment and moments of love and laughter,

All of which are your good gifts to us

Given for us to savor and to enjoy.

We start each week with Sabbath,

Which reminds us that you are the one

Who keeps the stars hung in the sky

And the one who keeps the world turning,

And we don’t have to.

We are finite and limited,

But we are also already beloved.

Remind us not only to rest in your love,

And when we have rested,

To return again to the world to share your love more widely. Amen.