Kirkwood UCC

Kirkwood UCC...well it is where we are gathering...right? In a community that is growing and becoming...similar to the church...right? I am sorry for my back and forth. I want to honor our efforts and the efforts of the Gathering Grounds coffee house and to stick with Kirkwood UCC makes the most sense right now. Let's stay with this one for awhile--I promise NO more name changes!

And what about the website--what do you think? I think Amy Rush is an amazing and talented woman who uses her gifts in marvelous ways. Thank you Amy, thank you, thank you!

I hope and pray that this website can be away for us a way to stay connected and informed about all that is becoming in this community of faith. I hope and pray that it can be an effective way to reach out to others in our community who might be hearing that something is happening on Sunday evenings in Kirkwood, or at Habitat, or in peoples lives that are growing closer to God...that are experiencing new friendships...that are finding a way and becoming a part of something that is bigger than all of us, and real and true.

Oh my sisters and brothers, God is so good and faithful and kind and loving. I know it because I feel it and count on it in my own life, but I also see it happening in your lives and in our lives together. I thank God for loving us so much. I thank God for Jesus, who has given us everything. I thank God for the United Church of Christ, for Cameron and Tim whose support is unceasing. And I thank God for you and can't wait to be with you again on the day of rejoicing--Easter Sunday morning. Praise be to God. AMEN

It's the week before Holy Week, a couple of days before Palm Sunday. There are moments when I feel so anxious about this transition time in my life--when I am so used to the rhythm and the cycle of the church year--of the Lenten reflection time moving and pushing us toward Good Friday and eventually Easter Sunday. About a year ago I was beginning to live into a long Good Friday. It was time for me to let go and follow God in the ways that God has called me and created me. It was time to let go of what I thought was secure and safe and follow--just take up my cross and follow. It has been a month of Good Fridays--falling down and falling a part and feeling lifeless in so many ways. But God is good, God is always good and faithful, even when I am not. And I have cried out in the back yard of the coffee shop dragging some huge trash bag full of coffee out to the dump, "My God My God have you forsaken me?" And I know that God has not--it's that I have closed my eyes to the Grace of God in that moment--God is always making a way--for me and for us. Sometimes the way doesn't look or feel or seem like I want it to, or remembered it--but it is God's way-for me and it is right.
I think about the people in my life right now and they are not the same people that were there a year ago. I miss those folks at St. Paul, everyday I do ( thankfully some are still in my life--it makes sense.) But there are new people that God has brought into my life--people that drink coffee and have families and jobs and responsibilities and are searching for something more to this life. And somehow I get to be a part of that--somehow I am blessed to hear their stories. The coffee shop is safe place--a place to be together or to be quiet (well sometimes) but it is about the Gathering of this Kirkwood community and surrounding neighborhoods--it is about the Gathering of good people and that is enough.
I am grateful to be where I am right now--I am unsteady, but certain that I don't have to can't be steady all by myself. Susan is a rock--a rock star every day. Friends are incredible and encouraging. I struggle with some relationships that feel very rocky and unsure but believe that God will take care of us.
Easter is coming--most of all I know that. And we will gather as a community of faith--as a community of people reaching out to a loving and living God believing that God is there--that Jesus has given us life--abundant and true and real. I pray there will be folks who attend this service and get a glimpse of God--kind and full of justice and celebrating diversity and offering forgiveness and grace. I pray that the little ones will be there running around filling their baskets and giggling--I do miss those little ones at St. Paul.
Sometimes, honestly I do find myself with heavy bag FULL of trash on my way to the dumpster thanking God for all that is--for my life--the good the bad the ugly--mostly that I am an Easter person--we are Easter people--always.

I took this picture last fall in Florence Italy. Michael Angelo's rendering of Nicodemus, Mary(Jesus' friend) and Mary(Jesus's mother) taking him from the cross. I was not expecting to be so overwhelmed, but when I saw it--it took my breath away--punched me in the gut. Such love and sorrow and brokeness. We have all known it--felt it. Right now, during Lent, this is where we are---where we are called to be--remembering and reflecting. But Easter is on the way---Easter is on the way.

Easter's Coming...

Hey my sisters and brothers. I can't get you out of my head--and especially your voices while you sang Amazing Grace and then all of your carrying on and eating pizza--it was a perfect afternoon. Thank you for being there--thank you for coming to worship and to be with one another. Thank you to Gerlinda and Greg for the beautiful music and to Susan and Amy for getting our "eats" together. And for those folks who wanted to come but couldn't make it--there will be many more opportunities!

Just some things I want to remind you about and let you know about.

~Please keep in your prayers
Regina's Dad
Ainsley's Friend
Susannah's Cousin
Our gathering community of faith
Our whole community

~Easter Sunday Worship 8am in the tree house at Bessie Branham Park (on the corner of Kirkwood & Ridgedale)
~Eater Egg Hunt following worship around 9ish
If you are interested in helping with either of these events coming up, PLEASE email me back so we can get some folks working on Easter Egg stuffing, Easter Egg hiding, coffee pouring, worship welcoming, etc...I can't wait to hear from you!!!!)
~Our Habitat for Humanity Service Day scheduled for April 14th 8:00 am

~In the next several days I will email you a flyer that you can print off or send to others inviting them to our Easter Sunday worship. I think this would be a great opportunity for us to reach out to some folks in our neighborhood (wherever you neighborhood is) and invite them to a morning of joyous celebration along with incredible people.

~If you're ready or want to talk about some of this church stuff, I'm wide open--just tell me when and where.

I am so thankful for you and thankful to God for what is beginning at the coffee shop in Kirkwood. It is a humble start no doubt, but I believe with all of my heart that God will honor our faithfulness and our hope of growing closer to God and to each other. Please know that I am praying for you and for us everyday. Peace and love to you, Susannah