Hi Parkway People!

This time of year — in the run-up to the end of school, right before Annual Conference (once a year United Methodist meeting), and before summer gets into full swing – I usually see things slow down a little for me. (Not for everyone at Parkway — please don't tell Becky!)

But — even though I've spent the last few weeks preaching about speed and hurry and slowing down, I still find myself resisting the slowing down. If things are not moving quickly, if my schedule is not full, I feel like something is wrong. I feel like I have surely lost track of something...

Moving from the non-stop that sprang up after Easter to things finally, but still uncomfortably slowing down — I am realizing that a big part of continuing to pursue and nurture faith in the changes of life has to do with how we make plans when life changes speed. 

It's not just about accepting that life changes, but making a plan to move the needle — making a plan to move at the speed that will help you find rest, see beyond the urgent now, adjust a habit, or simply not be swept along as if you are powerless.

None of us have either complete or zero control over the speed or shape of our life -- each of us, to a point, has a choice on how to move forward in life at a speed that allows for health, growth, and thriving.

This Sunday, I'll wrap up our current series Real, Fast — I'll teach on how to move forward in a changing world and a changing life. I'll preach from Exodus 14 as God's people move forward into a future that is a little known and a lot unknown. 

Take a look below at some of the ways you can plug into growth, healthy faith, and community at Parkway:

Announcement: The Parkway Office will be closed Monday, May 26th for Memorial Day.

Help Needed: As the summer heats up, can you help us keep the new grass in the Parkway Gardens watered? If you can turn on the sprinklers on your morning walk, please reply to this email and let me know!

New Grow Groups Meet on May 25th

On Sunday, May 25th, both of Parkway's newest Grow Groups will gather for their monthly after-church meeting. Both of these small groups are young family groups — One with kids roughly 0 - 8ish, the other 8ish - 14ish. Both groups meet once a month after the 10.30 service to check-in about life and discuss that day's sermon. Food and Childcare will be provided for both groups.

If you are interested in jumping in and connecting with a smaller group of people on May 25th, reply to this email and let me know. I'd love to get you connected to one of these new groups.

Want to explore starting a new Grow Group? Reply to this email and let me know — I would love to work with you on starting a new group that fits your interests or season of life. It's easier than you think!

Upcoming Women's Mini Retreat

Parkway Women's Ministry will host a mini retreat on Saturday, June 7th from 9am - Noon in the Student Worship area (Second Floor, Ministry Center Building). Rev. Maggie Wood, lead Pastor of Mercy Street, will lead this retreat focusing on love, prayer, and writings in the Book of Ephesians. You can sign up for the mini retreat by clicking HERE.

Summer Book Club - Inspired by Rachel Held Evans

Last summer I hosted the first Parkway Summer Book Club and this summer we are back for round two! This year we will read Inspired by Rachel Held Evans. 

This is a great, readable book for anyone whose relationship with the Bible can go from clear, powerful, and inspirational to confusing, complicated, or even painful. Each week in this book, we'll look at a type of story often found throughout Scripture to better understand what we're reading, the history behind it, and how we can recognize God in the pages of Scripture that is often not as clear as we would like it to be. 

Our Summer Book Club will (tentatively) kick-off the evening of Wednesday, June 4th. Click on the following link to let us know you will be attending, if you would like Parkway to order a copy of the book for you, and if you will need childcare:

https://www.fellowshiponegiving.com/App/Form/015b413e-6278-4774-880c-741653361212

Last Call (For Now!) — Sermons from a Hat

This is the last call for Sermons from a Hat before this experiment kicks off on June 1st! 

Throughout the summer, I have a handful of Sundays that fall between events or sermon series. On these in-between Sundays, I want to preach what you are interested in hearing about. Available on the Welcome Desk in the Worship Center, there are strips of paper that have one fill-in-the-blank sentence:

I would like to hear a sermon about _______________.

Over the next few weeks, anyone and everyone can leave their ideas (you can do more than one!). As we approach these Sundays, I will draw suggestions out of a hat, and that will be the sermon for that particular week. Be thinking about what you are going to put into the hat! (And if you don't care about having your name attached to it, you can send me your suggestions or ideas by replying to this email. If you want to be anonymous, grab a piece of paper on Sunday.)

Save the Date: VBS Set-Up

VBS (Vacation Bible School) is almost upon us — a big loud, fun week where Parkway hosts hundreds of kids for music, games, crafts, and learning stories from the Bible.

This year we will have two set-up sessions: Thursday, June 5th from 6-8:30pm in the Ministry Center and after the 10.30 service on Sunday, June 8th, in the Worship Center. 

Save one (or both!) dates — it's always a big job getting set up for VBS, but many hands make light work!

P.S.! The VBS snack table is also set up in the Worship Center -- take a page off the table and bring back some goldfish, pretzels or animal crackers so we have enough snacks to go around!

See you Sunday,

Justin