There is something about summer. This started in my early years with the close of school. I remember walking out of school that last day to the wide-open summer before me.
Later, raising three boys, Michele and I enjoyed resetting our family schedule during the summer break. It always included a different pace to life, including a vacation to visit family or have a new experience together. We still operate and plan this way even as the boys have gotten older. It’s time to enjoy the longer days, the patio, baseball, and time away, to name a few.
This summer’s Son Times from St. Andrew is following the theme of “Splashing Into…”. I think there is good playfulness and fun in this title, and not just about a summer of lakes or swimming pools.
Its tone prompts us to explore new opportunities for our lives of faith and community. It encourages us to dive into something new and refreshing in our faith lives to see where it might take us.
So, we staff at St. Andrew hope that you consider this summer’s newsletter and it’s articles as an invitation to engage actively with St. Andrew this summer:
- The Good Book sermon series will take us into stories of scripture that are not so familiar to us, where God’s grace emerges anew for us.
- Summer Socials, including food trucks, fun, and community, are on the second Wednesday of each month.
- Short-term and pastor-led studies for learning and engagement, among other small groups.
- Vacation Bible School (and VBX) for elementary school children.
- Service opportunities like food and school supply drives and Habitat for Humanity.
- As you will read in articles from this summer’s Son Times issue, your St. Andrew staff is preparing to make this summer memorable for you and the whole family. In all that we do, our prayer is that the love of Jesus emerges within it all to welcome us just as we are and assure us that we are part of God’s grace in the world.
Welcome,
Peter Johnson
Interim Senior Pastor