Coming This Sunday: A Brand New Class

I had spent a couple of years without a place to call home on Sunday mornings.  There were no real reasons, I guess, but one week at home had turned into a few weeks, then into a few months, into a straight-up sabbatical from Sunday morning routines.

Church and me: we were on a break.

And the thing is, I felt okay about it.  Something in me needed to be quiet, maybe a little invisible, to not do the church thing for a little while. Or a long while.

Many months ago, Peter said, “What if we went to Cherry Hills?”
Cherry Hills had long been his church home, and he was deeply settled in there when I met him.
For him, it would be “going home.”  For me, it would be new.

“New” and me: we were on a break.

“I’m not ready,” I said.
And he was patient.

“Okay, I’ll go,” I said, “But I’m not serving in any groups or projects or what-have-you.  I am attending, only. Do you hear me?  Only.”
He nodded. And he was patient.

A few months in, he said, “Will you sing in the choir with me?”
“I’m not ready,” I said.
He nodded. And he was patient.

“Okay, I’ll sing,” I said.  “But I’m not making any friends.”
He knows as well as I do that I cannot resist loving people.
He nodded. And he was patient.

Sabbatical’s root word is Sabbath.  I needed rest. And patience.

I came, I saw, I sang – lo’ and behold – I found friends, and I remembered.

Oh, yes.  This is what it feels like to belong.

The local church is where I belong.

I’m delighted to tell you about a brand new something.

I have been invited to join the teaching team at Cherry Hills Community Church.

Starting this Sunday, January 9, 2022, at 10:45 am.

A Class for Every Age and Every Stage.

Along with a leadership team of gifted men and women, we are creating a new class,
we are diving into the book of Mark –
and we’re leaning into the word Cultivate.

Cultivate: a verb.

To foster the growth of;

To make friends and build relationships;

To loosen or break up soil;

To improve by labor, care and study.

And so, I am in.  All in. And over the moon.
After years of floating here and there, teaching near and far, but never really landing,
I’m settling in to teach on Sunday mornings.

It’s where I belong.

Maybe you’ve been on a break.
Maybe you’ve needed to rest.
Maybe you’re looking to belong.

A community for Every Age and Every Stage.
That includes you and yours.
If you’ve been waiting for someone to invite you, let it be me.

It’s time to come back, you guys.

See you Sunday.