Our family used to take vacations on the many beaches while in Brazil. We

would pack our VW van up with all of our beach stuff and head for the ocean. It

was not “Glamping” like they do today, with fancy hotels to cater to your every

need. We truly did “Rough It.” For the most part, we would set up a canvas tent

on the sands along the shore, hoping that we were not too close to the ocean

when the tide came in and not too far away, which would require one to walk

though the grass loaded with thorns. In the end, we got pretty good about

knowing when to move farther inland to avoid the storms that were pretty

common along the coast.

Everyone in our newly created “Parish” has been very kind. I have been

asked many times; “So, pastor, how are things going?” All I can tell you is that so

far things are going well. The worship schedule is going as well as can be

expected. Then, it has only been a couple of weeks so far. And I am getting to

know a few more names of the people at FOG; with time, that will only feel more

natural. The worship team at FOG even allows me to sing along with them on

Sundays. Boy, are they ever in for an awakening. But… so long as they sing songs

that I am familiar with we will be ok. The storm hits when the music requires me

to actually read music. Bring your ear plugs then! But all in all, this has been a

good transition to “Parish” life and “Parish” identity.

Believe me when I say that the real storm is yet to come. There will

inevitably come days when we will need to have all hands on deck! Preparation is

the key. What will be needed at that time, is everyone working together, because

the difference between a storm that can devastate us and a storm that will draw

us together “is” preparation. I like what I am seeing in the “Parish Council.” We

are going through the calm right now. The financial picture has calmed down for

both congregations and that is a breath of fresh air. Who knows what tomorrow

will bring there. The activities are on auto mode but people have been working on

overload for quite some time now. How will we manage the growing need for

changes in leadership? It is hard to let go when you have been responsible for so

long. Take a breath … it will work out!

My vision right now is that of a parent whose eldest child is getting ready to

go to college his/her freshman year. I haven’t been here for a long time and this is

all new to you as well. Best advice I have is to listen to each other. Listen actively,

and communicate often. We will find the time to support each other even if the

storm hits. Anticipate, celebrate, but don’t accuse or get judgmental. The last

thing anyone wants to hear in the storm is, “Why didn’t you tie down the tent?”

Just start holding on and seeing that everyone is ok. Check and make sure that

everyone is safe. Keep moving, because storms pass and then the sun/son

appears and hope is renewed and peace is restored and God still loves us and we

are still his “children”. And we… well, we are still one in Christ. That is the

message we cling to. In Christ … we are ONE.