Pastor’s Corner – October 14, 2021

Hi Friends,

You continue to be in my thoughts whether we connect in person or virtually. I am grateful for you. You are in my prayers. You are family!

At the beginning of the month, I was reminded of the blessing and diversity of families. I'm thankful that Friedens United Church of Christ recognizes, honors, respects, and welcomes families in all their different shapes, sizes, and structures.

I grew up being taught that I had a biological family, a church family, and a human family. As I grow, my understanding and experience of family has broadened - I am blessed by my Sisters as we pray for/with one another, listen to one another and support one another. I am blessed by my school family where I serve as an occupational therapist. I am blessed by the living family that includes other creatures beyond our human family - if I listen and watch, I learn much from my animal and plant siblings and definitely depend on them for life - we are connected. You are not alone you are part of families. You are loved. You are an important individual in the Friedens family. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of your church family. I offer this prayer of thanks and intercession for families.

Dear Merciful and Mighty Maker,

Thank you for the gifts of family! Thank you for families made up in all different ways - through mutual interests and hopes, through birth, through adoption or fostering, through common paths and locations, through shared work, through shared mission and hopes, through shared connection as beloved children of the Creator… We know being part of family has its challenges. Please help us listen and forgive. Thank you for the healing and protection you offer. Please grant us patience and wisdom. Please guide us to live together in wholeness, equity, and deep peace for all. Thank you for designing us for family. Thank you for inviting us into community, for calling us, and seeking us out. Amen.

12 God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: 13 I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Genesis 9:12-13