Dancing the days,…

     We’ve been reflecting lately about how life means change, ready or not—and ready or not, our extended church family is experiencing a major change, that is cause both for a bit of lament and a great deal of celebration.
     We must lament, at least a little bit, that our wonderful director of St. Luke Infant Care Center, Frances Mitchell, is taking a new position, and will no longer be at the helm of the center.   We lament because she has brought enormous giftedness, energy, and commitment to her work at SLICC, as she’s helped the center’s staff, parents, and most of all children thrive, learn, and grow.
      Not everyone could have stepped so gracefully into a position long held by a much loved director, or helped everyone connected with the center adapt and grow into the next phase of its ongoing identity as one of the city’s finest venues for the care, nurture, and education of very young children.
      Frances’ steady, gentle, peace-full way of directing has had the ideal result of helping to establish a solid, creative enterprise that can even weather the stress of a transition to a new director—the best kind of leadership!
     We have much to celebrate, too, in this transition for Frances, as she moves into a position in which she can continue to grow professionally, especially in the area of teaching teachers, where she truly excels.
     In every aspect of our community we always hope our life together enhances each participant’s growth in wisdom and capability for living lovingly and well.   We can celebrate Frances’s growth in our midst, while helping the center grow, and we can celebrate the new path open for her to continue growing, and helping others grow.
      We’re delighted, too, that Frances and her family are and will continue to be active members of our faith community here at St. Luke UMC, and we’re counting on her to help us with envisioning and enlivening our children’s ministry programs in the church, as they continue to evolve.
       Those of you who’ve been in worship the past two Sundays have experienced just a bit of Frances’ gift with little ones for bringing creative simplicity to the essential Good News of God’s love, so all God’s kids can hear it.
       This past Sunday, for instance, she taught us all a simple song to help us remember the great commandment:   “Love one another, Jesus said, ...this is my commandment.” (to the tune of “London Bridges”).
 I know many of you will want to express your personal words of appreciation to Frances, for all she’s shown and taught about that love, and will continue to show and teach, in her new position.
        This Sunday during worship we’ll offer an official “Thank you”, too—hope to see you there!
      I look forward to learning more with Frances and the rest of you about the good news for all God’s children—this Sunday, and all our days to come.

Shalom,
Sarah