Rev. Moon’s Message for June 2, 2024 – Second Sunday after Pentecost

“The First Mourning” (1888) by French painter William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825–1905); from the collection of the National Museum of Fine Arts, Buenos Aires; taken from the Wikimedia Commons.

Dear Friends,

In the upcoming year, we plan to start a monthly ‘grief sharing’ group if there is enough interest. A grief group is not a counseling group but a peer support group. We have all lost someone or something sacred to us, yet we don’t always have enough places to share, process, and pray together. Our culture too often approaches grief as a problem to be fixed or solved instantly. We are taught to ignore or bury our need to grieve. It is our wish to create a safe space to share, listen, pray, and reflect on our life journeys. I plan to facilitate each meeting prayerfully. Each meeting will consist of silent prayers, sharing, listening, and reading.

We plan to hold the first introductory meeting on Wednesday, October 16 at 7 PM. Please invite those who could benefit from this time of sharing. If you or someone close to you (they do not need to be a church member) think that such a group might help, please speak to me directly or send me an email.

May the Risen Christ continue to bless and strengthen you every day.

Upcoming Events

Your webmaster has taken the liberty of adding several other events. They appear with their dates inmedium brown.

  • Sunday, June 2: Communion will be celebrated.
  • Saturday, June 8: Women and Girls Strawberry Social 2:30–4:00 PM. Laura Alary will talk with us about her experiences writing children’s books. Please sign up by contacting the church office. This event is sponsored by the Women’s Ministry Committee.
  • Sunday, June 9: We will celebrate Christian Education Sunday. The Nurture and Education Committee (Rev. Helen Smith) will have a moment to pray for the students, parents, volunteers, and teachers. The Mission and Outreach Committee (Don MacOdrum) will make a Mission Moment presentation on “LOFT”.
  • Tuesday, June 11: The Annual Evangel Hall Mission Golf Tournament will be held at beautiful Pheasant Run Golf Club starting at noon. For more information, contact Don MacOdrum or see the tournament website.
  • Wednesday, June 12: The Caregiver Support Group will meet at the lounge at 10 AM.
  • Wednesday, June 12: “Mind and Heart: The Bible Study on the Gospel of John” will be in the fellowship hall at 7 PM. (resumes in October).
  • Sunday, June 16: “Read and Discuss: The Monthly Virtual Book Study” will be at 1 PM. Join us for our virtual book study group every third Sunday of the month (after June 16, the book study will resume in September). We extend a warm invitation to those eager to engage in thoughtful discussions. See your Tidbits or contact the church office for the link information.
  • Friday, June 21: “Read and Pray: The Prayer and Faith Conversation Group” will meet in the lounge at 1 PM. Anyone who wishes to reflect on the journey of prayer is invited to join (resumes in October)
  • Wednesday, June 26: “Listen and Listen” — a quiet prayer and communion service will be at 7:30 PM (services are from March to June and September to November)

—Rev. Chuck Moon

A version of this message appeared in the Saturday, June 1, 2024, edition of Tidbits.