“For we are God’s handiwork,

created in Christ Jesus to do good works.”

Ephesians 2:10.

What an honor to witness the handiwork and good works happening at St. John’s! In September, we begin our 8:00 am worship service. Over the course of the month, we will be blessing everything from water (Sept. 7), to backpacks, students, and educators (Sept. 14), to canines, cats, and creepy-crawlies! (Blessings of the Animals at 2 pm on Sept. 28). On Tuesday, Sept. 9, we’re flinging open the doors to share the music and message of Bobby Jo Valentine with the community on Sept. 9 as a prelude to our 10th Anniversary of being an Open and Affirming community.

We have created a corner of the sanctuary for our “soft worship space” where both kids and adults can engage their bodies in ways that allow them to be more present in worship. Our Boards and committees and volunteers and staff are doing what they do best, and are doing it well.

On Sunday, September 21 at 3:00 pm, we will be holding an “installation.” An installation takes place after a church has called a settled pastor. After five months, I am starting to feel a little more “settled” and our North Penn Association and the Penn Southeast Conference of the UCC have said it is time for me to be installed at St. John’s.

Even though all ministry is temporary and transitional (as Pastor Tom is now, sadly, reminding us), an installation is a way of marking a moment in which a congregation and pastor have chosen one another for their next chapter of ministry together. It is a way of affirming the movement of the Spirit that has called a particular leader and a congregation to be the best version of themselves possible for this time, in this place, trusting God’s grace along the way.

I’m thrilled that someone who is a close friend, holy troublemaker, fierce prophet, and national faith leader, Bishop Dwayne Royster, will be the preacher on this day. Bishop Royster is an ordained UCC minister and the Executive Director of Faith in Action. A native Philadelphian with family in the area, he knows St. John’s well and is eager to be with us. We will also receive greetings from a number of community and faith partners.

The installation is an opportunity for us to celebrate the rich history and the pastoral lineage of St. John’s UCC as we stand on the cusp of our 150th anniversary. We are rooted and rising in love! It is an invitation to let our gifts shine, call our friends and colleagues to celebrate and encourage us, and give thanks for God’s continued faithfulness on this journey.

In Christ,

Pastor Linda

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