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Instructions on Not Giving Up
More than the fuchsia funnels breaking out
of the crabapple tree, more than the neighbor’s
almost obscene display of cherry limbs shoving
their cotton candy-colored blossoms to the slate
sky of Spring rains, it’s the greening of the trees
that really gets to me. When all the shock of white
and taffy, the world’s baubles and trinkets, leave
the pavement strewn with the confetti of aftermath,
the leaves come. Patient, plodding, a green skin
growing over whatever winter did to us, a return
to the strange idea of continuous living despite
the mess of us, the hurt, the empty. Fine then,
I’ll take it, the tree seems to say, a new slick leaf
unfurling like a fist to an open palm, I’ll take it all.
— Ada Limón, first published in Poem-a-Day, May 15, 2017; collected in The Carrying (Milkweed Editions, 2018)
Dear friends,
I'm struck by that last image: a new leaf unfurling like a fist to an open palm. It feels like exactly the right posture for this summer: open, ready, willing to take it all.
This coming Sunday, we'll celebrate with our graduating high school seniors and wish them well in their future endeavors. We'll also recognize the dozens of musicians who lend their talents to our music program, enhancing our worship and offering praise to God week to week.
On Sunday, June 14th at 4 pm, we'll celebrate Felicity Thompson's ordination to the priesthood as she begins her ministry here as assistant rector. I hope you'll join us for this milestone for Felicity and for St. Andrew's.
Summer at St. Andrew's offers much more: outdoor reader's theater, summer Sunday school, a workshop on faithful engagement in polarizing times, and the simple pleasure of gathering together on these long days. I hope you'll find something here that draws you in. Whatever brings you through our doors this summer, you are welcome.
Peace,
Paul
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