The Gift of Sitting in the Pew
Let me begin by saying thank you. Thank you for your grace and understanding of my welcoming another preacher into the pulpit this summer. I was apprehensive when I started imagining the summer, but there are so many reasons why I am glad it all came together.
Some of you have heard me share all the different things that race through my mind on a Sunday, even while I am worshipping: watching the clock, tracking transitions, and trying to sip water when the livestream camera might not be on me. Then, while I am actually preaching: wow, you stumbled over that sentence; oh, don't forget that for announcements; there is so-and-so! I need to speak to them!
But over the summer I have had the chance simply to sing, pray, listen, and receive. I have been allowed the space to breathe in God’s breath as it flows around the room because I am not distracted by the logistics in my head, things that do matter, but are not the most important.
Hearing voices and words from others has been so meaningful to me. Being reminded of how much God is still teaching me through song and scripture without the intention being to sermonize, but just to be in God’s presence has been refreshing. And I have felt renewed in my bones.
It makes me wonder how to seek these moments outside of a Sunday morning. How to find it when I am in the middle of a hectic week. Being able to allow God’s voice and breath and presence fill me when I am empty. This is where I will find myself over the next few weeks. Perhaps on my back patio, perhaps on a walk, perhaps with you in the worship center as we listen to those who we will welcome over these next few weeks.
I hope you will join me in worship. Let’s see what God has in store for us!
Peace,
Pastor Carrie