By Pastor Devlyn Brooks
As we met as a church council in the late spring months, I thanked them for agreeing to the Wednesday night service model for this summer again.
Eagerly anticipating the first summer in six years without seminary, I promised them that I would dutifully take advantage of the weekends to be with my family, go to the lake, take out the canoe, read and sit on my beloved campfire patio in my backyard.
So I’m here at the midpoint of summer to report in and tell you that I have indeed followed through on my promise!
In June, we were at the cabin north of Bemidji where we love to go all four weekends, with some combination of our kids joining us for every one of them.
Shelley and I have had our canoe -- named “Unit 1” -- more this summer than all of last year combined.
I have read a half a dozen books for fun; I’ve enjoyed countless nights in my backyard by my campfire, Gus Gus and Cody laying by my side; I’ve cleaned up our flower gardens and the fence lines that had been taken over by weeds. … And, honestly, some nights I’ve done nothing but sit in my recliner and watch a baseball game on TV.
I am learning again why people are so hip on this summer thing!
But, seriously, as I shared with the council in our meetings this summer, I am so grateful for their -- and your -- support to slow down a bit this summer, to focus on my family and to rest after a challenging five-and-a-half-year run at seminary.
The interesting thing about performing at such a high level for so long, it’s easy to forget about the need to recharge, and the importance of resetting your internal clock so that it’s not on overdrive all minutes of the waking day. All you become focused on is what is immediately in front of you.
So, I didn’t know how badly I needed the space this summer to regroup, be with my family and find my own personal joy again. … Well, until I was doing it!
But now I am happy to share with you that I am again finding the ability and opportunity to restore some balance in my life.
I already can feel the years of tension melting away, and me finding the joy in my work -- both at The Forum and in my pastoral life -- again. And I feel a lot more genuine now when I talk to others about making room for sabbath time. After all, aren’t we told to practice what we preach!
So thank you, Faith Family, for allowing me the space to slow down this summer. I promise you that I will return with a fully recharged battery and ready to go when we kick off the traditional church year in September!
Oh, and I’m pretty sure that my family thanks you too!
OUTDOOR WORSHIP
On Wednesday, July 20, we celebrated worship outside on the northside of our church.
About 20 people, kids and adults, turned out to worship with us, and we had a spectacular evening!
About 5 p.m., I was concerned about the heat of the day, and whether folks would want to sit in 90 degree weather for the service. But by the time service started at 6:30 p.m., the heat had waned, and we were treated to a beautiful Minnesota summer evening.
The sky was an amazing blue; there was a gentle breeze stirring the tree branches and flowers; and there were birds and insects combining to make a beautiful natural choir.
Not to mention the delicious food we had before hand, and the s’mores we were treated to before the service!
It was a joyful night!
If you haven’t seen them yet, we posted several photos of the worship on the Faith Lutheran Facebook page. But, unfortunately, because our internet wifi doesn’t reach outside, we were unable to video the service.
So, if you were not able to join us for the outdoor worship, I’d highly recommend you stay tuned for more news! All of the folks present at the outside worship voted to hold service outside again once in August. So there will be more information coming about that! Please come join us!
Until next month, blessings to you all!
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