8-29-12

Dear Family of faith, What a joy it was on Sunday to be back with you in worship! Our two Sundays away at church in Ohio and in Minnesota reminded us of how different you are-- how much more warmth and hospitality we find in Spring Hill. I can understand better now why so many people who have moved away write back and say, "We can't find a church like ours." God's Spirit is surely in this place, and we rejoice to be back with you (although we have yet one more worship to miss). As I was coming into the church this past week, I noticed some unsightly weeds growing in the cracks of the sidewalk. My first thought was, "I hope someone gets rid of those." My second thought was, "What do you mean? This is YOUR church and YOU should be helping to take care of it!" At that thought, I bent down and spent the next few minutes cleaning out the weeds from the sidewalk and along the edges of the flower garden. Of course my hands and fingernails got dirty in the process, but they washed up. Then the thought occurred to me: Why not challenge everyone who is able to bend over to pick out ten weeds on their way into the church buildings? If everyone looked down and around on their way into church and got rid of just ten weeds, just think how few, if any, we would have! Of course, we might become known as "The Church of the Dirty Fingernails," but that would be a kind of badge of honor-- helping to keep God's House in good condition. I think Jesus would approve! So I challenge you: pick ten weeds on your way to worship! "Whoever you are and wherever you are on life's journey, you are welcome at Spring Hill U.C.C." Somebody you know needs to know that promise. Tell them this week! With affection, Pastor Carlan

8-1-12

Dear Family of faith, There are moments of revelation in our lives that teach us truths we knew but often forget. I had such an epiphany this past week while thinking about the photos on our walls. I was pondering where we might have room for a new wedding photo (since our youngest daughter, Brittina, is getting married on August 11th). I thought about the big graduation photos of our four children that are hanging on the wall and wondered, "Will they ever want these?" I thought about it because my mother, who has been sorting through her 'stuff' for years, gave me all kinds of pictures of myself when I was a child. You know the kind-- those portrait package deals that the schools used to have and J.C. Penney and Sears promoted. There were always left-over photos of all sizes. When Mom was doling out her stash, quite frankly, I didn't need another fourth-grade photo of myself, not even an extra graduation picture. All of those went in the trash. Thinking that my own children might do the same, I realized that it is not photos of ourselves that have the greatest value to us in the end, but photos of others that we care about. Some day when I'm cleaning out my stash of pictures, my own children will have no use for multiple copies of their school photos any more than I did. It's like the crayon pictures scribbled on paper by grandchildren and little notes from the kids in second grade-- they have no value except to those who cherish the memories. Who wants his or her own pictures in the end? All this should teach us that our own lives are not what is important to us ultimately; the lives of others who love us and whom we love count for everything. If we live for ourselves, we have lost everything. The only real meaning comes from living for others. I will miss all of you when I'm gone; and I will miss worshipping in our sanctuary with the kindred minds of this congregation. Keep me and my family in yours prayers and I will you. With affection, Pastor Carlan