Pastoral Letter: What Gathers Along the Way
Dear SUM Family,
Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ.
On Thursday morning, I emptied the trash cans in our house.
Every neighborhood has its own collection schedule, but in ours, the truck usually comes around noon on Thursdays. One week it collects regular trash; the next, trash and recycling. I often look down the street to see whether my neighbors have put out one bin or two. That usually tells me what kind of week it is.
This week, the bag was fuller than usual. It took some effort to pull it from the bin without tearing it, tie it securely, and carry it out to the larger bin in the garage.
As I walked those few steps, I noticed a mixture of smells. There was still a faint sweetness from the apple peels we had thrown away most recently, mingled with the less pleasant smell of everything that had been sitting together for several days.
And in those few steps, a number of thoughts passed through my mind. We accumulate many things simply by living our lives.
Joyful memories and gratitude accumulate. So do love, relationships, and experiences that become precious to us. At the same time, weariness and worry can gather. Questions remain unanswered. Habits become so familiar that we hardly notice them. Along the way, certain things quietly become more important to us than they once were.
Not everything that gathers in our lives is something to throw away. Some things deserve to be treasured more deeply. Some need to be looked at again. And from time to time, life invites us to pause long enough to notice what has taken shape along the way.
The Apostle Paul writes to the church in Rome:
“Be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
— Romans 12:2
Discernment invites us to notice what God has already given us, what deserves our deeper attention, and where God may be leading us next.
The beginning of fall can offer us just such an opportunity. Summer’s looser rhythms begin to give way to school, work, family schedules, and the familiar patterns of everyday life.
Before we return to our regular worship rhythm, tomorrow we will gather as one SUM Family for Welcome Back Sunday. I am grateful for this opportunity to worship God in one place, see one another again, and share in the love and fellowship of Christ.
As you prepare for tomorrow, I hope you will take a moment to look around you. Is there someone from our church you have not seen in a while? Is there a family member, friend, or neighbor you have thought about inviting to worship?
If someone comes to mind, perhaps reach out today:
“Tomorrow our church is worshiping together. Would you like to come with me?” That simple invitation may become a meaningful first step toward connection and community.
After worship, we will share ice cream and fellowship, followed by our Understanding SUM Workshop. Over the past several weeks, many of you have shared your thoughts and experiences through the Understanding SUM survey. Tomorrow, we will have an opportunity to hear some of what has been shared, listen to one another, and seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance together.
The neighbors we are called to notice are not only those within the walls of our church. Last week, I invited you to remember those suffering because of war and natural disaster through a special offering for UMCOR. Thank you to everyone who has already responded with prayer and generosity.
A week has passed, but their suffering has not. If you were not able to participate last week, or if you feel led to give again, you may continue to support this effort through UMCOR. Mercy and generosity are not one-time acts. They are part of the rhythm of Christian life—a way of remembering the neighbors God has entrusted to our care.
Beginning Sunday, September 20, we will return to our familiar three-service worship rhythm at 8:00, 9:00, and 10:30.
As we return, may we also rediscover the deeper rhythm within it: pausing and paying attention; giving thanks for what God has given us; seeing one another again; remembering our neighbors; and discerning where the Holy Spirit is leading us.
As we begin this new fall season, may God renew our hearts, deepen our love for one another and for our neighbors, and give us wisdom to discern the way before us.
I look forward to worshiping with you tomorrow and beginning this new rhythm together.
Grace and peace,
Pastor DH
Simsbury United Methodist Church
sumct.org | pastordh@sumct.org