Dear Friends,
It was so good to see many of you over the past few weeks. There is a tremendous energy among us as we move into this transformative year. As I have been saying, being with one another is the glue that binds us together spiritually. Please make an effort to attend a service and of course, join us online if that’s how you need to be here with us.
This coming Sunday we will have our annual “EXPO.” The EXPO is an opportunity to highlight our many ministries and efforts to inspire, connect and act. Tables will be set up around the perimeter of the main building with information and leaders who are eager to meet you. Our Committee on Ministries (“the COM”) will provide food and refreshments for all, and we will have babysitting available at the playground for youngsters. It will be great to come together again over food, and learn about our collective work as a congregation. And maybe there’ll even be a wiffle ball game!
I know you all want to know how our Minister of Music Ed Thompson is doing. Last Wednesday Ed had a mild stroke. He is in Norwalk Hospital where he is getting excellent care. Hopefully soon he will transfer to a rehabilitation facility where he will work on regaining his strength and then he will probably be at home recovering further. This all sounds pretty scary but actually there is good news. He has no paralysis; he has no cognitive impairment at all. In fact, yesterday he was doodling a musical score, probably thinking about a new composition. He is anxious to get to rehab so he can get strong and come back to us. Feel free to let Ed know you are thinking about him by sending a card (via the church for now) or an email. Please hold off on phone calls and visits until he’s home.
Our choirs are ready to carry on. A small group of choir members will be working with me to plan our services, lead the adult choirs and bring in special talent. We are also looking into ways to keep the children and youth singing. Rest assured we will continue to have beautiful and diverse music as an integral part of our worship.
As we were singing together last Sunday led by our Once and Again Choir, I was heartened by the robust spirit by which we carried the songs. Music speaks to something deeper than words. As one anonymous source put it, “My friend is one who knows my song and sings it to me when I forget.” May we continue to sing each other’s songs even when we forget.
See you soon –
Rev. John