OCR Document

From the Pastor's Pen, September, 2005:

“Back to School!”

It's back to school time! As I write this, it's the first day of school for many districts, including Western School District in Jackson County, where our son John attends. It's his senior year, and I woke up recalling very clearly his first day of Kindergarten and the mix of eager anticipation and dread that he felt that day. His parents did too. However happy parents are with back to school time, and return to a routine, there is also a sense of letting children go as others influence their lives.

There's always something of a mix of emotions with a new school year. There's the idea of getting used to a new schedule, of wondering what you will learn, who you'll meet, and perhaps a fear of what will be expected. I remembered with a laugh the other day my absolute terror on the first day of second grade, when I could not for the life of me remember which way a "3" went. As the school bus pulled up to the elementary building, I hastily asked the older student next to me-"does the 3 go like this?" drawing in the air with my finger. As I recall, that question was not on a test for my permanent record on the first day! Funny the things we worry about at age 7 (or 27 or67)!

September brings not only "back to school," but back to a routine in the life to the church. Our program year runs parallel to the school year, with Sunday School, choirs, and other programs gearing up for a new season. Sunday School and choirs both begin on September 11.

This year, our annual Church Conference at First UMC is early, September 29th. The Committee on Lay Leadership (nominations), Pastor-Parish Relations, and other committees are at work to plan, dream, and evaluate the work of our church, for the year past and the year to come.

It can be a time of mixed emotions. We may discover places where we've fallen short. Perhaps we fear there will be a test on the first day that will go on our permanent record. Maybe we realize that we have not done all we could to make disciples for Jesus Christ, to grow spiritually, to be faithful stewards. And maybe there's eager anticipation for new opportunities for Christian education, for some new leadership in our committees, for programs to reach out to others, for ways to grow in our faithfulness to God.

So, what did your parents tell you on the first day of school, as you went out the door toward the bus? Maybe they said, "be good," or "remember who you are," or "listen well," or "have a learning spirit." Any of those are good words as we can come "back" to a new program year at First UMC. We can be open to new leaning in worship and Sunday School, maybe attending an adult class for the first time. We can be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit if we are asked to fulfill a role on a committee or work area of the church. We can simply attend a meeting, a service or an event with an open mind and see what we can learn, or how we can grow.

As September comes, let's be open to the possibilities God has in store for us. As we live and grow in God's grace, may we reach out in concern and service to others. May we grow to be the Church God wants us to be, and the faithful disciples we are called to be. We may be long past the time of boarding a big yellow bus, but we are always learning and growing toward God. It's a great journey!

On the Journey with you,

e-mail Pastor Baker-Streevy