We are always in the middle. Between what we know and what we don’t know. Between where we have been and where we are going. Between what we used to be and what we are becoming. That is true of each of us as individuals and it is true of the church community as well.

As I write this, we are ready to receive the results of our CAT survey, a Congregational Assessment Tool that will give us insight into where our congregation sees itself at this moment in time, in this middle space. We may anxiously be waiting to see what people feel are our strengths and maybe more anxiously awaiting what may show up as our weaknesses. No church community is strong in everything because God has a specific path for that church community to walk. Where the challenge comes, is to dig beneath the data and discern where the Holy Spirit is guiding us. We need not be critical of where weaknesses may appear or boast in where we seem to have strength. We will learn. We will learn to rely on God and not ourselves. We will learn to be humble in our successes and gentle in our weakness.

Some might look at Summer as the middle time too. Between the excitement of Easter and Pentecost and the start of a new school year. But summertime is a time for growing. Yes, vacations happen and we miss seeing folks in church over the summer. But I challenge all of us, this is a season for Plum Creek Presbyterian Church to grow! Grow in our reliance on the Holy Spirit to guide us, grow in our relationship with God and with each other, grow in our giving, in our connecting scripture to what God is doing in our church, our community and the world and grow in our understanding of who we are and where we might be heading with God’s help. We do that by gathering together as much as possible, worshiping together, praying together, learning together and discerning together. Give yourself a challenge to be with us on Sundays as much as possible, join in serving alongside one another in our summer ministries (Strawberry Festival, Rummage Sale, Summer Club, Friday Youth Club, Wonder Space, liturgist etc), join us in fellowship at bonfires and in study with our new summertime opportunities. Grow with us!

On June 2, we will grow in another way! Five of our young people will be acknowledging and affirming their commitment to Christ and with that, a commitment to this faith community as their church family. As part of their faith family, I ask you to support this monumental moment in their faith life by being present in worship. I promise you, you will be inspired and energized by their faith. I cannot tell you how impressed I am with these young people! Our Session elders are as well. You have seen them lead in worship and this coming Sunday, you will hear me share about their amazing Statement of Faith. I believe it is God’s way of showing us the hope God has in this community of faith! There will be a reception following the service in our Fellowship Hall for the Confirmation class – please make plans to stay and welcome them.

As we enter this season of growing, let us take to heart what the early disciples did in Acts 2:42-47.

42 The believers spent their time listening to the teaching of the apostles. They shared everything with each other. They ate[a] together and prayed together. 43 Many wonders and miraculous signs were happening through the apostles, and everyone felt great respect for God.

43-47 Everyone felt a deep sense of awe, while many miracles and signs took place through the apostles. All the believers shared everything in common; they sold their possessions and goods and divided the proceeds among the fellowship according to individual need. Day after day they met by common consent in the Temple; they broke bread together in their homes, sharing meals with simple joy. They praised God continually and all the people respected them. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were finding salvation.

May God continue to bless us abundantly in this season of growing!

Pastor Carolyn

June 2024