Dear Blooming Glen Friends, 

As I write this, the National Weather Service is forecasting that Hurricane Hilary is closing in on Category 3 status and will likely be the first Pacific tropical cyclone to reach Southern California since an unnamed cyclonic storm hit Long Beach in 1939.  So, this may become the first year of my life that I have been in the vicinity of a blizzard, a tornado, and a hurricane in a twelve-month period. 

Working at Blooming Glen has its excitements … 

On the last Sunday of August, we will consider as a congregation the very practical ways we can face together the changing world we inhabit.  In the worship service, an ad hoc group of leaders will bring to fruition over a year’s worth of discernment in presenting ways we can reforest our campus.  Planting trees is a long-range strategy for helping to restore the beauty and contribute to the healing of the earth.  Planting trees reduces greenhouse gases – trees scrub the air by increasing oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide.  Planting trees reduces soil erosion and slows water runoff.  Planting trees provides wildlife and birds with homes and sources of food.  Plus, trees just look nice.  We look forward to the “Tree Group” leading parts of worship, and we look forward to a recorded sermon from Steve Thomas, executive director of Mennonite Men, and a leading proponent of reforesting communities. In a time where climate seems to be changing at an accelerated pace, maybe the best long-term strategy we can adopt to participate in God’s act of redeeming creation is to plant trees. 

But that’s not all we are celebrating on August 27. 

Carley Rush and Lilly Hunsberger have answered God’s invitation to make public their desire to follow Jesus in the waters of Believer’s Baptism.  This is also a very practical way we can face together the changing world we inhabit.  Following our worship service, we are all invited outside to hear Carley and Lilly give testimony to God’s grace in their lives.  We will hear affirmations from family members, youth leaders, and elders.  In this ad hoc second service we will bring to fruition a year’s worth of prayer, conversation, teaching, and discernment in the lives of two sisters in Christ who are reforesting the church.  Believer’s Baptism is a long-range strategy for helping to restore the purpose and direction of the church.  Baptism confirms an individual’s covenant to be in Christian community – to publicly affirm that they are joining the journey together with Jesus.  Baptism reinforces the ongoing story of the church and reconfirms that not even hell itself can stand in the way of Jesus’ purposes.  Baptism also reconfirms our commitments to be the missionary people of Jesus in a world that may be disappointed with the church, but willing to hear the authentic good news from each of us. Plus, Lilly and Carley are really nice people. In a time of struggle to communicate the Jesus Way with integrity, maybe the best long-term strategy we can adopt to participate in God’s missionary call is to affirm Carley and Lilly’s testimonies of faith and reenact the ancient symbol of the new covenant in the waters of baptism. 

And there is still “one more thing” on August 27. 

We will eat together in a church potluck.  We will share our generosity and abundance with each other in joy and celebration. This too is a very practical way we can face together the changing world we inhabit.  Following a worship service to dedicate a reforesting effort, and a second service to dedicate two young people in public testimony to follow and serve Christ, we will literally bring forth the fruit of the land to share with one another.  This third event has been on the church schedule for almost a year, and we have a team that has been preparing for just such a gathering.  Potlucks remind us that whether we like it or not, we have been and will always be a household of faith.  Potlucks reconfirm that we do church together.  Sharing recipes are a reminder that we do actually love one another.  In the coming together for a shared meal, we remember that we are important to one another.  And the food is really good, too.  We look forward to a potluck meal that is more than just good food but is also a healing agent in our life together. In a time when relationships seem still fragile and easily broken, maybe the best long-term strategy we can adopt to participate in the active healing of our congregation is to eat together regularly. 

In the aftermath of severe weather – the oppressive humid heat of Pennsylvania, the surprising tropical storms in California, and the broken relationships caused by post-Christendom, chronic COVID, and the digital Babylon – there are still ways for us to bear the fruit of unity in our shared journey with Jesus:  by planting trees, by baptizing a new generation of the faithful, and by eating together in mutual fellowship.  These ancient and yet modern practices are a part of the “Divine Conspiracy” to reunite us as the family of God. 

Love you, Church,
Pastor Jeff
jeff@bgmc.net 

PS - I’ll be back at the A&N Diner in Sellersville on Monday, August 28, 7:30-8:45 am, to listen to whatever is on your mind.  I’ll also be trying something new, by meeting y’all at the Rise and Grind, 1 North 7th Street, Perkasie, 2:00-3:30 pm on Friday, September 1.  Note the new location and time for the Friday afternoon listening post (It’s a trial run).