Notes from West Mountain

THANK YOU SIGNS HEARTS AND WELL WISHES

God’s affirmation is like that, yeah it is.                                                                                     The Rev. Mark Diters 

Seeking connections, looking for a way to feel a little bit normal…Affirmation in the midst of isolation… In recent weeks on every form of media someone is saying thank you. It has become so prevalent as to appear insincere or to make it seem trite. Yet thank you is so worth saying.

earlier this week my grandson Jonny asked if he could go to the teacher’s parade that afternoon. It was one of the rather glum and dreary days we’ve recently had more than enough of, and his homeschooling for the day was finished, at least somewhat. His older sister Lexi did not wish to go, something like “that’s really lame” was uttered as an aside.

The school’s instructions called for people who were not on the parade route to gather at the high school parking lot and the teacher’s parade would begin by touring the parking lot before it went winding its way through the assigned neighborhoods.

So, at the appointed time, Jonny and I parked at the parking lot, observing social distancing of course, (how far from other cars should one park?). There were only ten or twelve cars doing the same thing. Jonny saw a couple of kids he knew but none of his good friends. With a harangue of sirens and car horns the procession came by, led by an antique-looking snub-nosed short bus decorated with balloons, another bus, a fire truck, a couple of police cars, and about twenty cars all pimped out with streamers, posters, and balloons, with teachers waving and calling out to the children they knew.  As the parade circled around and began to leave the parking lot, Jonny said something he’d recently heard… “That was pretty lame…” Then he said, “Can we follow them?” I thought, “What’s the problem with that?” And he said we could even stalk them.

So we pulled up behind the last car, but when the police escort car pulled in we let him go first and followed along. There were police cars all along the route handling the other traffic and as we drove we were treated like the caboose of the train.

As we drove at parade speed nearly all the homes on the route had children and families out at the curbside to see their teachers and to say thank you. It was a real event! Every so often the emergency vehicles would let go a massive blare of horns, lights, and sirens.

There were two things that we did not expect. The first was that all the families that had come out to see their teachers did not know we were not part of the parade. All of them shouted thanks and waved and held up signs saying the most wonderful things! The younger children were dressed in costumes, princesses, ballerinas, you name it. One whole family had realistic fruit costumes making quite a salad. Pretty soon we both got sucked into the spirit of the event and waved right back smiling and doing the “Queen’s Wave”.

The second thing we did not expect was the marvelous feelings we both got from this totally fraudulent effort. In spite of the fact that we had no business what so ever to be receiving any kind of thank you, all of the spectators’ attentions made us feel so good we were laughing, uplifted, and utterly elated.

There was something overwhelmingly marvelous about undeserved, unexpected, even unearned affirmation!

Seeking connections, looking for a way to feel a little bit normal…Affirmation in the midst of isolation… In recent weeks on every form of media someone is saying thank you. It has become so prevalent as to appear insincere or to make it seem trite. Yet thank you is so worth saying.

Peace,

Mark

CLIMATE CHURCH, CLIMATE WORLD BOOKS BY THE REV. JIM ANTAL ARE AVAILABLE

It has been well noted that our recent halt in activity due to the Corona Pandemic has had unexpected consequences, not all of them negative. Since the shutdown, the markers used for assessing climate conditions and pollutants have all shown improvement. The canals in Venice are clean…the air is clear over Las Angeles, and measures of environmental contaminants have all decreased. If you have extra time on your hands and have not read The Rev. Jim Antal’s book, it is a faithful and insightful, and challenging study.

Copies of Climate Church, Climate World are available in the office. Arrangements can be made to have one delivered for anyone wishing to read the book. Please contact the church office to make arrangements.

BOOK STUDY: GENESIS, THE EARLY YEARS…

The first eleven chapters of Genesis are perhaps one of the most studied portions of writing in existence. They are the “pre-history” in the Bible. The content is comprised of multilayered and interwoven narratives which are faithful attempts to explain and interpret our origins and understand “human being.” This virtual study will include time for prayer and meditation as well as take a deep dive into our shared story.

The study will be held weekly but the duration of this study will partly depend upon how deep we wish to go into the various threads of the pre-history.

We will make every effort to offer this study at times when most people can attend via zoom. Anyone interested should reply to Mark  (mditers@gmail.com) and we will use a scheduling app to see what works best for the most participants.

 

MAY 2020 SECOND MILE OFFERING: SILVER LAKE CONFERENCE CENTER

Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, Silver Lake Conference Center has decided to suspend all in-person programs for the summer of 2020. There is still a need for financial support of SLCC and the many wonderful programs that will take place in the future. SLCC needs our support more than ever during these unprecedented times. Please consider making a contribution to continue Flagg Road’s dedication to Silver Lake’s ministry.

CENTER CHURCH SUNDAY SUPPER – MAY 31ST
Center Church Sunday Suppers are continually being served each week to 60-80 people in need.  Due to the COVID 19 health crisis, the meals are currently prepared by a staff of four in the church kitchen at Center Church.  The meals are packaged and handed out.

The Flagg Road UCC will honor our commitment to help with the May 31st meal by financially sponsoring the meal costs for that day.  In addition, Flagg Road UCC will partner with Center Church to provide an additional Sunday Supper later on this year.

A MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICE REGARDING THIS DIGITAL WORLD

The only way we are able to reach out safely and effectively is by phone or the internet. We share a blessing in that many of our members have done some of this before. Yes, we have offered the past two Sunday services on our Facebook Live. And we have invited the congregation to group chats and virtual coffee hours as well as learning how to conduct much of our business via Zoom go to meeting. And yes, from those who have been able to access the worship services and meetings, the response has been uplifting and supporting. But clearly this has not been a perfect transition and there are some of us who have not been included in activities.

If you are having trouble accessing any of these possible means of connection and relationship please contact Mark or Colleen n the office. We can make every effort to enable participation in what is going on. If Colleen or I am not able to help there are others very capable to assist who are eager to do so. We are not alone.

It has been easier for some to climb the steep learning slope than for others. It has been awkward at times. It has been humorous at times. It has been frustrating as well. But it is our best way of being in relationship available. It is real. It is different, but it is a refreshing connection when made.