Summertime

Friends in Christ,

"Summertime, and the livin' is easy," or so it's sung in Porgy and Bess (words by Dubose Heyward and music by George Gershwin)! Summertime also brings a whole shift of emphasis to livin' in the church. The Chancel Choir takes a well-earned respite with thanks from the rest of us to everyone involved, and especially to Gloria Hunt, for the magnificent music they've brought to us since last September. And the same goes for Sunday School. "Schools Out for Summer!" - again with our thanks to all the dedicated teachers and students, to Debbie Berlin our wonderful Superintendent, to Debra Donnelly-Barton, who has brought her special gifts and talents to us in this, her first year, as our Director of Christian Education, and to Sue Ruhl who has helped delight the Lord, and us, with the Children's Choir in worship.

Four things I would lift up for your attention as we begin the summer
season at Ashland Church. First, there's simply the reminder that there will be no Sunday School classes from now until the Sunday after Labor Day, but there will be Vacation Bible School, for all ages in the evening of each day during the week of June 20th through June 24th. Look for more information about that elsewhere in this issue of the News. Second, the times of our worship on Sunday are changing, also until the Sunday after Labor Day. The early service will remain at its regular time of 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., but the second service will start and end an hour earlier, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Third, for the Sunday's that I'm not away on vacation, I'll be starting to lead us in consideration of and meditation upon the foundational stories of the Bible, which together form the larger Story of the Bible. We'll continue to observe the season of liturgical year, of course - Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, Eastertide and Pentecost - but between all those there's a lot of what's called "Ordinary Time." I hope that by concentrating on the bible in this particular way that we will manage a less "Ordinary" use of that "Time!" Then fourth, and lastly, I simply encourage you to watch for and participate in the fellowship events of the church that will continue throughout the "summertime." Note them in this issue of the Ashland Church News, and in other announcements as time goes on and more plans are made.

"Summertime" brings us a shift in emphasis, but not a "shut-down" of activities. It brings us different times to enjoy each other as a church family. So, keep watching!

For this month, then, I wish to all fathers a "Happy Father's Day" along with "Happy Birthdays" and "Happy Anniversaries" to everyone who has such a time in the summer, and to all of us - health - and a restful, renewing "summertime."

Peace,
Brett P. Morgan
Summer 2005