First of all I’m thankful for all of the wonderful birthday blessings! I’m so grateful for the gift of community and you all are the best present one could hope for!

Second- a reminder that this Sunday, from 9:00-10:00 am, we will have a reception in the Gathering space (that may spill outside) for Joyce and Dave Uber as Joyce is retiring and the two of them are moving to Kansas City to be near family.  We will have a sending blessing for them during the livestream worship at 10:15 am this Sunday as well.  We give thanks for the faithful dedication Joyce has given to Saint Michael over the past 8+ years and we pray for God’s continued blessing upon her and Dave in this new chapter of their lives.

Third – Council will be discussing adjustments to our worship protocols as the pandemic continues to lessen and evolve.  We meet this Thursday so more information will be available then.

Fourth – I encourage everyone to be a part of our summer bible reading project.  Connie Doyle is facilitating a reading of Galatians followed by Romans this summer.  It’s not a class that meets but rather more like a reading club.  We are using notes and prompts suggested by the Lutheran Study Bible (several copies are available for checkout in the library).  Each week at worship, there will be a thought-provoking set of questions to pick up for you to ponder and there is also a blog posting  on the same page as this article is found where you can leave feedback and questions.

Fifth, I’ll be taking some vacation days at the end of June and first part of July.  Vicar Anna, Deacon Coco, and Pastor Joyce as well as Pastor Lynn will be leading worship and available for pastoral calls or care.

Sixth (my favorite number) remember that anyone is welcome to bring an item to add to our summer worship display in front of the altar.  Plants, flowers, produce, artwork, or some creative artwork from you or your family is welcome.  You can bring something for a few weeks and then take it home.  The idea is to feel like we are reconnecting as a community as we move through the summer. Think of it as an organic, evolving representation of our community of faith as the Holy Spirit breathes new life into us!

Finally, let us pray for summer camp that is beginning at Carol Joy Holling.  Our confirmation youth are heading out to camp this coming week and I know that there will be a few adjustments for everyone.  But after no camp last year, we are grateful for the hard work and faithfulness of the staff at camp that will be welcoming over 1000 youth throughout the summer.