September 10, 2021
Dear Prairie Avenue Family,
Twenty years ago, a bright, clear September sky greeted our Tuesday routine. At that time, Amanda and I were engaged and excited about our pending wedding ceremony at Mt. Zion Christian Church (Amanda's college and baptism congregation) the next month. She was living with my mother and starting a job as a teller at the School Teachers Credit Union on North Monroe. I was getting ready to go to work at Staley Library at Millikin University as an archivist assistant.
I turned on the television in the Living Room. I did not usually do that in the morning, but I had heard a breaking radio report that one of the World Trade Center towers had been struck by a plane. My first thought was the incident involving a lost WWII plane striking the Empire State Building in the midst of the fog. Good Morning America was on WAND-TV with live footage looking south from midtown Manhattan. I remember being struck by the clear sky of New York, the billowing smoke of the tower, and commenting, "It is not foggy in New York."
Between getting in my truck and arriving at work, the second tower was struck. And then the rest of the day was similar to those who witnessed the assassination attempt of Ronald Reagan, or the Challenger explosion, or Walter Cronkite's coverage (and moving announcement) of the death of President Kennedy.
I was the worship musician of Crestview Christian Church and Maroa Christian Church at the time. Seminary was three years away. Patrick was two years into the future. I am sure those who are old enough to remember the fear, confusion, and anger of that day.
This weekend we continue our new series A Good Life: Wisdom for Living.
Worship This Weekend:
A Good Life: A Good Mind
We find ourselves again this week in the book of Proverbs, a collection of short wisdom sayings that add up to some good advice for how one might live a good life. This coming weekend the writer of Proverbs lauds the benefits of a good mind--of seeking knowledge as a way of life so that we might show up in the world with a curiosity that opens our lives and connects them to others and to the larger story of human life together. In the opening monologue of the book, as a father shares wisdom with a son, we encounter wisdom, not in secret, but in the public square and city gates, available to all (because everyone has to go through the gate or into the marketplace sometime). We often divide revelation between natural and special: one is the common ways through observation, the other is through a specific event or action of the divine. The wise mind can recognize and use both to keep it secure and untroubled by the dread of harm. When we think (or feel) there is nothing more to learn, we drift from listening to gain from others to become fools. A closed mind is folly and will suffer consequences from its pride and arrogance.
Seeking Shalom Masterclass
Sunday, September 12, 10:45 am Golden Circle Classroom
We continue to learn more about traditional charity and its limitations following Modern worship service in the Golden Circle Classroom. This invaluable resource provided by the Lupton Center will draw our mission and vision for our neighborhood outreach efforts tentatively called Prairie Avenue Neighborhood Services (PANS).
Needing your feedback
As part of my training and development as a development leader through the Lupton Center, I need your help! I have been crafting and developing an intentional ministry called Prairie Avenue Neighborhood Services (PANS). I know many of you have expressed the desire to see our neighbors and neighborhoods thrive as our outreach and I want Prairie Avenue Christian Church to be full partners in seeing this new initiative be successful.
This is where I could use your help! I am asking you, as supporters, to fill out a survey online as a "check-up" of sorts to see how we are doing and learn what we can improve to do an even better job loving and serving our neighbors. I really value your perspective and feel this process would be incomplete without you!
This survey should only take 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Your responses are completely confidential (unless you tell me!)Thank you so much for your help!
Would you be willing to fill this survey before September 21?
Thank you so much for all the ways you bless me, this intentional ministry project (PANS) and the community!
Service Opportunities
It is time for more congregational participation in the order of service and providing hospitality on Sunday morning. We need worship leaders for each service, 8 am or 9:30 am. The script is usually completed by Wednesday mornings and can be picked up or sent via e-mail to you. We need greeters to open the door, secure it about ten minutes after worship begins, leave the sanctuary just after communion is shared to offer goodbye at the doorway.
We are still seeking nominations for board officers and trustees.
Adopt-A-Street Next Saturday, September 18, 10 AM
We receive a little attention (and free advertising) through our keeping our boulevards around our facilities clean on a regular basis. It has been a difficult year for volunteering, and we need a good group of us to get the work done! Many hands make it less than an hour! The equipment is provided. Join us at 10 am Saturday!
COVID-19 Update
The Macon County Health Department announced 1,672 new COVID cases during the month of August. 1,500 cases were among the unvaccinated, with 172 being fully vaccinated individuals. Many of you saw the President's address yesterday with new police rollouts regarding vaccine mandates in response to the increasing number of cases, deaths, and hospitalizations. I am ever vigilant in keeping our staff and facilities safe. In the meantime, can I just say one more time, if you have not yet, please get vaccinated. This is the best way to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community.
I also want to strongly encourage you to wear masks at all times indoors, short of eating. Masks are once again a state mandate, and while we can claim certain legal exemptions as a religious body, I will not claim liberties at the costs (and risks) to harming a neighbor. This past week we had a few close calls, anxious waits for test results, and one in quarantine. I wear a mask in case I am asymptomatic (I was vaccinated in March) to reduce its spread and to avoid quarantine (which a few of my colleagues have had to do this past Sunday).
Take some time tomorrow to reflect on 9/11 and how you personally can live out your faith, demonstrating to others how love always triumphs over hate. It will be a great weekend at Prairie Avenue, and I am looking forward to worshipping with you.
Invite friends to join you for worship
this weekend, in person, online
In-person on Sunday mornings at 8 am (Traditional) or 9:30 am (Modern) Masks are encouraged regardless of vaccination status if social distancing cannot be kept.
See you this weekend online or in person,
Blessings to you all,
