|
Over the past two weeks, as we spent time with two congregations in North Carolina that have played significant roles in our spiritual lives, we were reminded once more of the deep blessings of human connection – ties that remain strong despite time and distance, family and friends whose presence never fails to support us, restore us, and refresh us. From the Wee Kirk in the mountains to the Village Chapel of Bald Head Island on the coast (plus a few points in between), our travels reconnected us with loved ones from childhood to the present. As you well know, reunions like these are life-giving and precious.
That being said, it was difficult to be away from Larchmont Avenue Church during what turned out to be a very busy time in the life of our congregation. The sudden losses of Laura Torrisi and Adriana Jervis shocked and pained us all. Fortunately for me, I had the comfort of knowing that Anna Grace would handle these pastoral needs with sensitivity, strength, and wisdom, which, of course, she did. I also missed the food and fun of the church picnic, which has brought me joy every year. But I did take solace in the fact that, as our congregation gathered to remember two cherished people, and came together to celebrate our friendships in faith, you all were doing exactly what I was doing. You were leaning on the connections that tie us together in faith and fellowship... ties that remain strong despite time and distance... relationships that never fail to support us, restore us, and refresh us.
In our Reformed tradition, one of our more recent confessions begins with a powerful statement of faith and belief. “In life and death,” the Brief Statement of Faith proclaims, “we belong to God.” As it draws to a close, it makes a related profession: “With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” These are truths that we claimed for Laura and Adriana last week. These are truths that were celebrated at the picnic on Sunday. At home or away, these are truths that all of us experience whenever we gather with those who remind us of who we are and who we are meant to be.
| 
