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We often find ourselves doing many things at once. The last few weeks at SMC have definitely been that. From celebrating the changes made to the UMC Book of Discipline at GC24 to being intentional about Pride Month in our worship gatherings; from welcoming new members into our congregation to honoring the ministry of Rev. Ben Richards as he heads to his next pastoral appointment. We’ve been holding a lot as a congregation. It’s all a testimony of the work of the Holy Spirit among us. Even as we have shared many things together over the last several weeks, we have also held our personal celebrations and anxieties. Some of us are holding the expectations of new humans being born to our families as well as new employment opportunities we’ve long waited for, while others are holding worries for family and friends in need of medical care even as we deal with our own mental and emotional health. We are always doing many things at once and it's a sign of our humanity as well as evidence of our faith that God’s grace will get us through. In the next two weeks, we will continue to do many things at once. We will continue to gather together on Sundays for donut hour starting at 10am, then at 11am both online and in the sanctuary for worship, reflection on scripture (this week with yours truly Derrick Scott III and next week with Brian Niece) and communion. As we continue to celebrate Pride Month at SMC, some of us may join in the Acosta Bridge Pride March on June 29th. We may also have some work days to continue cleaning and preparing our building for future opportunities to serve our community so stay tuned for that! July will be just as busy around SMC! We will welcome Rev. Steve Hart to our congregation for the first time on July 7th and we'll spend that month getting to know him and his beautiful wife Colleen. We’ll also host Lumen Repertory Theatre’s latest show, Slow Burn, in our sanctuary starting July 12. I think this is what it means to move at the speed of church. It isn't simply about the pace of the pastor though that definitely matters. It isn't completely about the rhythms that we as members, attendees, and friends bring to our congregation though that obviously contributes. The speed of our church is the combination of all that we bring to it and all that transpires among us. It is the integration of the joys and the sufferings that we all hold when we step into the space on Sunday mornings. It is the connection that we share when we find each other in the building during the week or see one of the sermon reels on FB or Instagram. It includes those of us who are still trying to figure out if and where we fit at SMC, but it's also those of us who are putting our hands up to explore how we might be able to offer more of our gifts to this community. From the gratitude we name for an outgoing minister to the expectations we are still verbalizing for a new season of pastoral leadership - San Marco Church will continue to be what it is because of who we all are and what we all bring to it. I am excited about the days ahead and I'm looking forward to our continued journey together. Derrick Scott III PS Apologies for the incorrect formatting in the first email.
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