Jul 1, 2020

Friends,
 
So much is happening as we continue to be the church, even though we are not meeting in person in our building all together. So I want to use this space to update you on a few things this week.
 
Session Town Hall discussions about the days ahead – The Session has committed to having conversations with members of our congregation in the next two months. Each Session member will convene a group of 10-18 individuals, by Zoom or in a personal phone call. The purpose of these conversations is two-fold – to add one more ‘check in’ to the weekly calls made by the Hospitality Committee members, and to begin a conversation about the days ahead, after COVID, in the midst of pandemic, in light of protests in our nation, and listening for the ways God is calling us to move into the future.
 
Please look for those invitations from your Session members in the next week or two and respond as you are able.
 
Continuing Conversations on important issues – The Christian Education Committee wanted to explore ways to have conversations together about a wide range of topics and issues that face us as people of faith. So they scheduled once-a-month lunchtime Zoom conversations. In June, Mary Margaret facilitated a discussion about Hope in the face of Adversity, using an essay by Ann Lamott as our starting point. On July 15, I will facilitate a discussion about White Privilege, what this term means, how we can recognize the ways in which unacknowledged racial privilege benefits some people and hurts others, and what we can do about it.
 
Please look for that Zoom invitation in next week’s newsletter and plan to participate in that important discussion.
 
Saying ‘So long’ to Dorothy – Dorothy Rembert became part of our congregation several years ago, when she moved from the Dallas area to Bee Cave, to live near her daughter and family. She has been a delightful presence to all of us over the years. Now Dorothy is moving to the Atlanta area, to live near her son and his family. The Women’s Bible Study is giving Dorothy a sing-along send off! While we will miss Dorothy’s presence in the church when we are able to gather again, we rejoice that she will still be able to be with us virtually from time to time, through the magic of Zoom technology! Dorothy, may God’s peace keep you in the days ahead, and may traveling mercies accompany you as you make this transition.
 
If you wish to send Dorothy a card, just write her name on the envelope and leave it unaddressed, and drop it in the mailbox at the church. We will send her a big envelope full of cards when she gets settled in her new home!
 
Stay home, stay healthy, stay safe!
 
Peace,
Pastor Jack