This time of year is typically brimming with excitement. The days are getting longer, the air is warmer, and summer vacation is just peaking over the horizon. There are parties and trips planned and more flexibility. Cabins are opened and possibility is everywhere.

God is good and it feels like the blessing of the Kingdom of God is near.

For Trinity’s Faith Formation, this transition time into Summer is usually busy celebrating milestones, affirming the gifts of our youth, and thanking all of our volunteers for their love and support throughout the year. We debrief and look ahead.

Forming faith never really stops, but we pause and we pray and we mark progress and growth and new life in Christ.

And while we have celebrated and given thanks for this year (knowing that some of the seeds we have planted won’t sprout for many years), this year is quite different.

We are grieving not being able to be together at church. Unsure about the future. Praying for frontline workers and trying to make faithful choices to keep our hospitals under control. There is still so much that is unknown and anxiety about the unseen ending of this pandemic.

Summer Programs Cancelled
As we look ahead to the summer, we are also grieving the cancellation of so many of our beloved outdoor ministry and service events.

Lake Wapogasset Bible Camp made the decision in early May to cancel all scheduled camp sessions.

Trinity’s Vacation Bible Shool team also decided to cancel for this summer.

Our High School Mission Trip to Puerto Rico has been postponed to June of 2021.

These faith-forming ministries involve hundreds of our youth and families and it is really hard to let them go for now. Even if it’s the right thing to do.

Prayer of Good Courage and God’s Love Supporting
While letting these physical programs go for this summer, I also trust that ministry and the work that God calls each of us to still continues.

I’ve turned to this prayer that comes out of the Holden Village community to be reminded that God has been with us through unknown and uncharted terrain before. God’s love continues to support us and God’s hand is leading us. That gives me good courage, but it isn’t easy to muster all the time.

O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

We may not be able to do all the gathering that we want, but I believe that God will continue to form faith through us this summer. It might be hard to see, especially in the emotional and spiritual state that we are in.

But the Kingdom of God is still here and Christ will bring us through.

Prayers for you and Good Courage,

Pastor Peter

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Christ is risen! Christ is risen, indeed! Alleluia!