September 17, 2026

I am writing this from Provo, Utah where I am celebrating my daughter’s birthday. Please pray for my safe return on Saturday afternoon. Sunday, we have our Annual Budget Meeting at 11:30 a.m. The meeting is your opportunity to vote on this next year’s spending plan/budget. The voice of ALL voting members is important. For this reason, there is the provision for those who are unable to attend in person to attend via a Zoom link. Thank you to those who have already notified the office. If you are reading this and still want to participate, please email me at [email protected]. I will send out the link on Sunday morning.

Over the summer, the Church Council in collaboration with the Personnel Committee expanded Claire’s job responsibilities and converted her position from Choir Director to Director of Music. The position change was effective September 1, and her compensation will now be salary rather than per event. Some exciting aspects of this change are the accessibility of her wisdom as we plan worship, and the outreach Claire will be able to cultivate. Earlier this month, Claire and I met to plan our current Creation Care liturgy. Claire will be facilitating a Hymn Generating Meeting for our next theme, Joy as Resistance, on Wednesday, September 30 at 10:00 a.m. If this sounds interesting to you, please join us! I give thanks to the Hymn Selection Team (Sissy, Patti, Jan, Susan, and Marcia) for their ongoing collaboration.

On this second Sunday of Care for Creation, we will focus on earth. We find Jonah angry and grumbling in our first reading this week. He has finally prophesized to the people of Ninevah, and they listened to his half-hearted proclamation. The people repent of their evil ways, and God spares them. This act of compassion angers Jonah and we find him pouting under a fig tree. Initially, he is happy for the shelter provided and then his anger returns when a worm and the sultry heat wither the tree. Jonah struggles with God’s great mercy and compassion. The laborers in the vineyard have a similar response. Neither group understands that God is always seeking those who have yet to be found. God is on the lookout for the least of these, the one waiting to be welcomed, the one longing to be seen, heard, and known. As God’s beloved children we are summoned to extend this radical hospitality, oozing with grace and generosity to all people. Thank you for being partners in this endeavor.

p.s. I plan to attend the solidarity walk on Saturday at 6 p.m. It is a very moving, reflective experience. Perhaps I will see some of you there.