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“How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!” What do these words from Psalm 133:1 have to do with the fast-approaching “Unofficial End of Summer?” Fair question.
If you are like our family, late August marks the beginning of “back-to-school,” the end of your “summer schedule.” (This is true for the Church as well!) The end of August feels like a season within a season, a time of transitions and overfull to-do lists. We burden ourselves with family visits, last minute beach trips, hangouts with friends - maybe a final summer getaway - as we prepare for the changing weather and responsibilities of autumn.
Many of us mourn the end of later sunsets, warm weather and more flexible schedules of fleeting summer. Others look forward to the fall foliage, “sweater weather,” and reconnecting with schoolmates, coworkers and fellow football fans.
I admit that in the midst of this busy transition period, I have not always stopped and given God thanks for the many joys of summer. That said, it is impossible to withhold thanks and praise for what God has done with St. John’s Youth and Young Adults over these last few months!
From celebrating graduations to studying God’s Word; from serving VBS to collecting for UMCOR at Family Movie Night; from pizza parties to bowling outings; from a Central Park Scavenger hunt to making memories playing games (9 Square!) and sharing meals at our weekly campfires; even as they transition back to school, college and work - our young people have grown together in faith and fellowship this summer. God be praised!
Our young folk have fellowshipped and shared freely this summer. Reflecting with gratitude my heart was first drawn to the words of Psalm 133 - it IS good when the children of God come together as a family and share in the joy of creation.
But God said “Dig deeper.”
As I prayed, I was reminded fellowship is a critical part of discipleship. Jesus did not simply minister through His Disciples, Christ ministered to them, and one way He did this was by encouraging them to share meals, to share wortship, to share their lives with one another.
God brings us together to share seasons of joy and laughter so we can support each other in times of sorrow and pain. Those who walk with Christ, do not walk alone - but along with Christ, our sisters and brothers in the faith should share our journey of discipleship, too.
Thank God for our young people, their faithfulness, their witness and their fellowship! Thank God for our church, where we can all be encouraged and sustained in our Christian walk. Pray that we will remember how important fellowship is on the road of discipleship and that we encourage each other, in Jesus’ name.
Grace and Peace,
~jt
John-Thomas Crockett
Youth,Young Adult & Family Ministries
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