Now that my duties at the Methodist Church have ended for the summer, I return to attending my home church. It is both happy and sad. I love being with my CoS family and feel like a long lost family member welcomed home. I miss my friends at UMCNC and wonder how they are doing. I recognize that spending some time away from UMC is healthy in a way. It gives me a chance to reflect, to experience worship as a congregation member, and to bring new ideas and music back with me when I return in the fall refreshed and ready to go.
How I appreciate the gentle liturgy, the welcoming hugs, the fellowship after service - and the communion! I have missed the weekly celebration of the Eucharist that is so much more than just saying the words and taking the elements. Not that it isn't significant in other places I have taken communion, but there is something about the way CoS holds communion that resonates deep within me, something that brings healing and strength.
Besides, who can resist sitting next to your son in worship and singing side by side? What great conversations we have afterwards about the sermon or about some aspect of the service we both found interesting. I have missed out on the family coherence by virtue of my calling to serve. I am happy to grab a bit of such stuff when I can, fleeting as it is.
We linger over refreshments. They surprise Drew with a card and gift in honor of his graduation from high school, and they brag on him about his being in the top ten of his class, and being accepted at RIT. Drew is pleased as punch. Afterwards, we go to Wegmans, select lunch from their food bars and head to the upstairs dining room where we select a private table to continue our conversations of the morning. What a wonderful way to spend Sunday.
How I appreciate the gentle liturgy, the welcoming hugs, the fellowship after service - and the communion! I have missed the weekly celebration of the Eucharist that is so much more than just saying the words and taking the elements. Not that it isn't significant in other places I have taken communion, but there is something about the way CoS holds communion that resonates deep within me, something that brings healing and strength.
Besides, who can resist sitting next to your son in worship and singing side by side? What great conversations we have afterwards about the sermon or about some aspect of the service we both found interesting. I have missed out on the family coherence by virtue of my calling to serve. I am happy to grab a bit of such stuff when I can, fleeting as it is.
We linger over refreshments. They surprise Drew with a card and gift in honor of his graduation from high school, and they brag on him about his being in the top ten of his class, and being accepted at RIT. Drew is pleased as punch. Afterwards, we go to Wegmans, select lunch from their food bars and head to the upstairs dining room where we select a private table to continue our conversations of the morning. What a wonderful way to spend Sunday.
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