Good morning,
Sorry I've been so long to get back to this blog but for a summer, it's been a little busy. Scott and I and both boys and wonderful friend went on vacation to Washington State. We gathered with my father's family for a reunion, can you hear the cards shuffling, and then traveled on to Seattle. What a beautiful part of our country!
Back at home at Northwood UMC, it has been a time of learning. Learning the people, learning God's way for this community. Good people and wonderful possibilities!
"Open doors, open hearts, open minds!" That's our Methodist identity. "Open doors, open windows, open walls!" That's the observation of a clergy colleague when I described our present situation.
The bad news is we've had a devastating fire! The good news is we are still a community of Christ and the rebuilding process is underway. We are working through insurance issues, interviewing architects and contractors.
Dan, our youngest son, came by the church yesterday and took some photos of the slab. There are more to come later, but this is my favorite of what he's produced so far. This is the door from the sanctuary opening to the north side of the property. "Open doors, open windows, open walls," fits pretty well.
I love this picture. It's all about the possibilities of rebuilding; of using the rich resource of our eleven acres; of thinking, dreaming, outside the box; of reopening the doors of worship space.
Rebuilding is a great challenge for us. It will be a lot of hard work, a lot of listening, but a spiritual journey for a congregation full of blessings. It's all about the possibilities!
