Letter from Lindy Aug 29

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Hello Pilgrims,

I greet you from not so sunny Orlando. Hot, yes. Humid, it’s August in Florida--humidity is a state of being. But again, as is August in Florida, storms roll in and out, the atmosphere always a bit turbulent, hurricanes a constant in the recess of Floridian consciousness. Ah, welcome back :)

Truth, if I am being honest, this trip is hard. Not just the nine hour drive, but the memories that flooded my heart as I made my way closer and closer to the sunshine state. Exiting off of 95 onto I-4 was a sucker punch to the soul as I oriented my car toward the city we called home for 16 years. It was a heartrending way to commemorate my birthday. But showing up for my daughter and son-in-law as their community of friends surrounds them with love for this baby they are keen to welcome in 6 short weeks was necessary for body and mind and heart. My beautiful, conscientious daughter, trying so hard to hold these fractured pieces together, caring fiercely for those she loves, all while growing another human within. She is truly my inspiration.

As are you, beloved community. You are another reason I get up in the morning. Just before I left, our amazing tech team met with Nick and me to stage and mic our September 12 worship in sanctuary. Stage feels a weird word to use in conjunction with church, but oddly appropriate in this instance as mics and cameras and zoom and people and pandemic all play a part in this worshipful dance we will attempt. Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (and Light) is our hope and it will take practice and patience and participation and grace to make it so. I look forward to the challenge. I pray you are as well. If so, you know what to do. Add your voice and presence to the mix of volunteers who will help bring our Sundays into being.

I will be delighted to birth our worship with you. It takes a beloved community. See you soon!

grace and peace,

Pastor Lindy (she/her)whypronouns matter

Living and working on occupied Shakori land.
If you'd like to learn more about the Indigenous people whose land you occupy,
the information is just a text message away. Clickhereto learn more.

Melinda Keenan Wood