Hello, Friends!
     It’s easy to say we should be able to “let go and let God,” and trust that God’s love is at work in the world—and hard to do.
     These words from The Upper Room Disciplines, a daily devotional guide based in our weekly scriptures, speak to me this week.
    I look forward to being guided by the Good Shepherd with you this week, and all our days to come.
Shalom,
Sarah+

Reflections on the 23rd Psalm

   “God will not neglect the creation and its human inhabitants.  This psalm invites us to stillness even as we rush headlong into agenda after agenda to reach our goals.  We seem to define plenty in pitifully narrow terms.  God beckons us into an abundance that encompasses mind, spirit, and heart.
     What are the characteristics of the One in the midst of those who assemble together under the banner of Christ?  Above all, the Holy One is a leader, taking the initiative.  We need not beg for divine presence or care.  The great Shepherd is attentive, aware of every need, desire, and act of the group as well as those of the individual.
     Far beyond generous, the word magnanimous best describes our God.  We find ourselves blessed with even more than we need—blessings above and beyond the tangible.  Plenteous love, patience, kindness, joy, peace, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, and generosity allow us to give away the bounty.
     Our profoundly observant God attends not only to the needs of the group but also to the needs of the individual—a soul finds a quiet space in the midst of turbulence.  God sets
clearly before the body or the individual the best life direction in which to proceed.
      In this Shepherd’s fold we become the recipients of more than we could ever ask.

These thoughts were composed by Dorothy Watson Tatem, director of the Office of Urban and Global Ministries of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church.

P.S. & F.Y.I.:
     We won’t be going out of town this week after all—but Tom Spencer, new CEO of AAIM, will still be bringing the message this Sunday, April 20.  I’ll get to be with you to hear it—let’s have a great showing of support in attendance for Tom, please—I know you’ll be inspired!