Finding Faith ... in the ever-present signs of the changing of the seasons

By Pastor Devlyn Brooks

And just like that … Lent is over! Whoosh! There it went!

Does anyone else feel that way? … Wait, where’d the time go! We were just talking about the anticipation of what a new experience in Lent would feel like. And now … well, now Easter has been celebrated. And we’re well into spring.

On Wednesday, during confirmation, I could feel the change in our students too. Maybe we’re all feeling a bit restless from a long winter period. And so after a shorter-than-usual faith lesson, the four of us headed outside for a much celebrated walk in creation. 

The girls came alive and relished the opportunity to walk the streets of Wolverton, chase down other kids they know and play at the city playground. After all that we’ve had going on, it was good to see them just being kids and being invited into their playfulness.

A good reminder that part of a faith life is also joy and play and creative release. I’m thankful for confirmation kids willing to invite me into their adolescent worlds when the world of adulting can seem so heavy at times.

Thank you Creator for the young people in our lives who help us to remember that joy is important too.

Now, moving into spring … I’m sure it’s no time to snooze for any of us! 

The other observation I made on my drive out and drive home from the church Wednesday was the activity level in the fields. Area farmers are hard at it, and I suspect we’ll see that for many days to come.

I pray that the Holy Spirit follows all of our community farmers into their fields, shops and country roadways as they ready this season’s crops. May they all feel the Spirit’s peace, and may Mother Nature cooperate for a smooth planting season. Amen. 

And a couple of other quick things before we go …

• Keep Sunday, May 18, on your calendar as we will be celebrating the confirmation graduation of Bridgit Hendrickson this year. It seems impossible that we’ve come to this point! And I think she feels the same. Last night on our creation walk, she told the rest of the group, “I’ve known the Pastor all my life!” … Well, close, but exactly! … I will miss her next year! 

• Remember that we will transition to our summer worship schedule at the end of May. We will not have a service on Sunday, May 25, and then we’ll hop to our first Wednesday service on June 4. Same time as usual … 6:45 p.m. However, we will not be hosting community meals beforehand. 

• Instead, our new neighbor The Red Silo has taken our invitation to run with the weekly food truck idea. And so they will be hosting the food trucks across the street on Wednesday nights during their market nights. We’ve agreed to support their effort. And so I’d highly encourage you to consider dropping over there for a bite to eat before services on Wednesday nights. They’ve also graciously agreed to allow our LYO to continue to do some fundraising there a couple of Wednesdays per month.

• And finally, keep in mind that on our third Wednesday of the month, we’re again hoping to celebrate outdoor worship. We’ve been fortunate to have good weather for most, and it is a very enjoyable break from our routine! Keep tuned! We’ll share more information as we go this summer! 

Blessings to you all, Faith Family! See you in church!