Dear Ones, 

I’ve had a series of mini-vacations throughout August, and I’m planning one more in early September.  It has been a lovely summer of going to places in which I can ground myself in nature, and spending time with my son and some of our chosen family and grounding myself in relationship.  And now, as I re-enter congregational life and begin musing on this month’s theme, Building Belonging, I find myself wanting to reiterate an invitation I periodically make: come and talk with your minister!  I plan to create periodic listening circles after worship where small groups can meet with me and talk together about your hopes and dreams for our congregation, as well as any challenges and disappointments you’re experiencing.  You’ll find announcements for these in the “Congregation and Community Calendar” section of the newsletter as I schedule them.

I also want to make sure you all know that I would love to talk with you one-to-one.  There’s a whole slew of reasons a person might want to do this – all of them perfectly good! – among them:

• When you don’t know me, but would like to.
• When your child doesn’t know me, but would like to or you would like them to. 
• When your family doesn’t know me, but would like to.
• When you’re going into the hospital or someone else in the congregation is. 
• When someone close to you has died or is critically ill.  
• When you have suggestions for a sermon, or about worship in general. 
• When you’d just like to visit, or know someone else who’d like to.
• When you’re thinking about sharing your gifts in our shared ministries of worship, religious exploration, justice work, or any other aspect of congregational life.
• When you are looking for a way to deepen your spiritual life.
• When your children have questions of faith and you would like me to visit with them.
• When you have religious or spiritual questions.
• When you are celebrating one of life’s joys and want to share the good news.
• When your child has joys and accomplishments to share with their minister.
• When you or someone in your family are feeling sad, or lonely, or lost.
• When you have lost your job, found a new job, been promoted or demoted.
• When you or a family member is ill.
• When you would like to make plans for a memorial service.  When you would like to make plans for your own memorial service.
• When you are planning to be married.  When you are challenged by the demands of marriage.  When you are separating or planning to get a divorce.
• When you are pregnant and glad you are or wish you weren’t, also if you want to be pregnant but aren’t.
• When you would like your child dedicated.
• When you feel ready to join the congregation.
• When you want to share your experience of or appreciation for our beloved community.  When you have concerns about the congregation or our faith community.
• When you have a good story to share.
• When you are afraid or angry about the state of the world.
• When you want a listening ear.

When you want to reach out, please email me, and we’ll set up a time to talk.  And as always, if something happens to put you into crisis and you want to talk to your minister, call or text me any time.

In faith and love, Karen