Beloved,

On Sunday, I (Rev. Robin) had a day.  It’s been a long time since I had a day.  You know the kind where things roll endlessly off the table and you can’t seem to stop the slide.  Our audio didn’t work on the livestream, and then I had terrible dental pain.  There’s more, but I’ll spare you the list.  I realized I just couldn’t shake the frustration and fatigue so I finally, even with a pile of emails, gave in.  I went out to the garden to walk and try to clear my head when I found five ripe tomatoes!  I got a basket and put them inside.  

It was a tender reminder of how life emerges and persists even in the midst of our struggle, pain and frustration.  It was also a subtle lesson that I am not alone, but exist in a world of sunshine, rain and earth. 

On Monday, I joined our partners in Transylvania and India to plan a Tri-Partnership celebration.  We talked about Covid-19 and how it was impacting our communities in different ways.  Suddenly, I realized that I was connected in a way I hadn’t even considered through Beacon.

I live in a community that is always better and larger than my individual inability to control an audio stream!  On Monday night, I saw the fun that many of you had in the comments section while I was panicking that we couldn’t get it to work during the service.  There was grace.  I thought of our partners in India, in particular, who are facing continued great struggle with Covid-19 and I thought about our rising numbers and how somehow my own fears were eased just by a simple zoom call that navigated three time zones.

Our theme for this year is “rooted in relationship.”  As we are planning two services on August 29th (one at 9:30 @ 4 Waldron/virtual and one at 11:15am @ 695 Springfield) I am struck with this truth of being rooted in community.  Of pulling myself from the myth of individualism whether it be failure or achievement and moving into a community of grace and gifts.  

I am slowly learning this theme, thank goodness, we have all year to learn.  And I am recognizing the gifts of this Beacon.  The volunteers on Sundays that are making multi-platform possible and all the people in between who are extending our congregation out into the world with projects like Neighborhood Beacon, our Tri-Partnership in India and Transylvania and Summit Warm Hearts.  It is astounding and if you are reading these words, please know that your light does not go unnoticed.  It is a vital part of our Beacon, whether in person or virtual.  We may not have sound, but we are still shining.

With love,

Reverends Robin and Emilie, and Tuli