VAN METER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Nurturing children, supporting families,
creating community as we share our faith
Cathy's Corner
Dearly Beloved
Grace and peace to you, Van Meter UMC Family!
When I think of fall, I usually think of cool, crisp days, the beauty of green leaves turning to bright shades of red, yellow, and orange, and the way a hot drink makes you slow down, sip, and savor the warmth and flavor, the experience of that drink. This year it seems like life has moved at a faster pace. Certainly, my life is not nearly as wildly busy as it is for many of you who have several small children, or multiple children involved in multiple sports, and on several teams, while also working full or part time.
After caring for two of my grandchildren from early spring to early summer, finishing confirmation classes, attending annual conference, and summer sports, along with the usual pace of ministry, VBS, Confirmation Sunday, and on into September, I noticed I was physically and spiritually tired and in need of some time to rest, recharge, and be spiritually refilled. While considering what I might do to rest, and notice where God is showing up around me, I stumbled quite unexpectedly across as a pilgrimage to the sacred island of Iona, a place I first heard about early on in ministry. It’s a place that for centuries has been a place where spiritual seekers (pilgrims) have experienced God’s Spirit in new and restorative ways.
People go on a pilgrimage for a number of reasons, one of which is a longing to draw closer to God, to experience new spiritual inspiration to help guide their lives. This resonates deeply with my spirit. These verses from Psalm 139 come to mind: You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139: 1-10, 23-24 NIV)
By the time you read this, I will be about to head home from a pilgrimage to Iona with a small group of other United Methodists. I was the last one to sign up for this pilgrimage, and it seems more than coincidence that all the arrangements seemed to fall into place for this pilgrimage to happen.
I don’t know exactly what this experience will be like, or how God’s Spirit will show up during this time away, but I am certain that I was meant to go on this pilgrimage, and it will be transformational. I trust that not only will God’s Spirit be with me, but also with all of you while I’m away. How might God’s Spirit be nudging you to draw closer, to watch where God shows up, and join God there? I can’t wait to see all that God will do in and through all of us as we move forward together. Grace and peace to you all, Pastor Cathy
