May is maybe the busiest month in the year. I don't know why that seems to be true in most communities, families, and churches - but we try to cram as many calendar events into that four weeks as we can. The Risen Christ ended his fifty day visit to his friends by Ascending to heaven. We observe the Ascension on May 1. We are witnesses to the things Jesus did during his years of ministry and we are witnesses to the events of the Great 50 Days that followed the first Easter. Jesus wished them peace and that wish for peace is extended to each of us who are called to witness to the good news of Jesus.
May 11 is both Pentecost Sunday and Mother's Day (a secular holiday that we observe at St. John). It is also the day that the national church collects the Strengthen The Church special mission offering. The Guild will be taking orders from those of you who wish to enhance the beauty of the sanctuary by purchasing red flowers. These red flowers will be one symbol to remind us of the life-giving Spirit of God that was present at the first Pentecost and is still with us yet today.
May 18 is Trinity Sunday; one of my favorite days of the liturgical calendar. It gives me great joy to recognize God in three persons and celebrate the fullness of God's presence. The UCC has asked clergy to consider preaching racial justice on that Sunday.
Then we begin the long green season of ordinary time - a time for us to think about growth as people of God and growth as God's church.
Into this busy May we also try to pack in family events like graduations and wedding showers, getting ready for VBS, getting ready for the Conference meeting, a Worship seminar, and normal life events. We might need to remember that time is a gift from God and we are all given options to make choices about how we use the time we are given. May God bless your time this May and always.
