I have always loved beginnings.
I remember with such sweetness looking through the course catalogue in college and then in grad school, thinking of all the possibility. So many options, so many possible ways forward.
Lauren recently mentioned to the boys that there are now just a few weeks left in summer. This news was met with some moans and some wailing. Our little girl Aliyah is starting preschool this year, a transition which is both welcome (due to the general availability of precious time with which to work and be a human in possession of sense, goodwill, clarity and joy) and also has a tinge of melancholy (due to my inability as yet to devise a system of keeping her frozen in time in this sweet moment of three year old lovingkindness and parental appreciation.)
And for our family back to school also means back to church. Ever since we came to South Church now eight years ago, we have been open all year round. Lauren and I are committed to helping to create fifty two Sundays of worship that are each and every one worth your while, and summers have had some of my favorite worship. I think of last summer in the basement, piling in elbow to elbow, setting up extra chairs in the piano room. I remember the sweet, positive, can do attitude with which we all met that exceptional moment.
And this summer, Lauren and I now just merely weeks back from sabbatical. I remember the first Sunday back, being nervous to preach for the first time in a very long time, decades, really. And then getting right back into the swing of our worship creation flow, Lauren and I together along with our amazing team of staff and Worship Associates. It has been a joy to be back in worship with you, to see you all.
And now, here we are. Back to school. Back to church. With this new year and this new cluster of years before us, with this fullness, this possibility, this potential. It is an exciting time in the life of the church.
The image above is of Ben and Jack, our two boys, on Jack’s first day of Kindergarten. As many of you know, our boys are full of life and opinion and sauce. They have a sweet, boisterous, bursting brotherly love for one another and rarely just walk hand in hand. But Ben knows the moment, and his love is often, especially when it most needs to be, so very tender. And he knew his brother was nervous, and so he walked him into the school, holding his hand. The elder statesman second grader knew what it was to walk in on that first day, and he was there for his brother.
I love this picture.
And I share it with you all on this threshold, as we walk and love and plan and worship our way together into this new year. May we hold one another. May we reach out and take a hand if we need one and offer a hand if we can. May we pour ourselves into the work before us, this radiant mission at our core. May we ruthlessly reorient ourselves to the deepest and highest within us. May we be undistractable and singularly focused.
Because South Church is needed right now. You all, we all, are needed right now.
And hand in hand, we will meet this moment in which we are living. Hand in hand, we will show up, right on time, find our classroom, find our desk, and get to work.
So much love to you all,
Chris
southchurchuu 