Where does the time go? Such an overused question, but - um - where does the time go? I’m finding it hard to believe that my term is coming to an end as the interim minister of the Spiritual Life and Learning Center. There has been a lot happening behind the scenes over the last four months.

The work being accomplished by volunteers and the leadership team is significant and their commitment is inspiring. There are a number of opportunities for learning and gathering coming up in the near future. This fall, Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson will be our Spiritual Searcher. Dr. Thompson is a fascinating person; she came to the United States as a teenage immigrant from Jamaica. She evolved from childhood in the evangelical tradition to leading a progressive denomination, as the incoming General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ. Looking ahead to next spring, Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III will be our spiritual searcher.

Please keep an eye on the SLLC calendar for the ice cream social coming up in August. It will be a moment to reconnect, look ahead to the year ahead, and share a yummy treat.

Coming up in September, we’ll have a two-part discussion group on a remarkable book by Dr. Becky Kennedy called Good Inside: A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Be. Parenting is deeply spiritual work and you’ll find a rich perspective in this group.

Ongoing programs of the SLLC such as yoga, Tai Chi, Thursdays at Ten, Women Living the Questions, and the Much Matters book group continue to be regular sources of nourishment and learning.

Jodi Patton is a gifted spiritual director who will be leading a group this fall to explore spiritual direction as a practice. Jodi introduced a similar gathering this spring and participants found it deeply rewarding. Beginners to spiritual direction are encouraged to give it a try.

Over the last three months, we’ve taken a comprehensive look at SLLC programming. Along the way, it was determined by leadership and participants together that a couple of groups had run their course and they have been retired. Rest assured, there will be fresh, new programming to meet the evolving needs of folks in the congregation and seekers in the wider community as well. And in the late fall, First Community anticipates hiring a new leader for this vital ministry.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve the community of Spiritual Life and Learning. It has been an honor and a joy. I am grateful beyond words for the leaders and volunteers who share their gifts and talents with First Community Church in the areas of adult learning and spiritual search. In the spirit of the SLLC, I will leave you with a quote from John Lennon:

“I believe in God, but not as one thing, not as an old man in the sky. I believe that what people call God is something in all of us. I believe that what Jesus and Mohammed and Buddha and all the rest said was right. It's just that the translations have gone wrong.”

Peace,

Deb