Newsletter Thoughts April 26, 2025

Dear Friends,

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Happy Easter! It was wonderful to be with you all last

weekend for worship on Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday.

Two days after our wonderful celebration I had surgery on my right knee. This was to

repair a torn meniscus. So far it seems to have been successful, and I hope that my

recovery goes smoothly. Thankfully I am able to move around more than I had

anticipated. Now I just need to remember that I will have limited mobility for the next few

weeks, so I shouldn’t try to do too much, too soon. I do confess that I am already tired of

sitting… while my knee likes the inactivity, the rest of my body is not too happy. I need to

be patient to allow recovery.

As I think about this, it reminds me of life in a faith community. The apostle Paul wrote

about the community being “the body of Christ.” Each of us is one important part of that

body. Sometimes a part, a person, is struggling. I could be illness, injury, grief, or

anything else. In their struggle they need the compassionate and patient care of the rest

of the body. I wonder how often we miss this. How often do we observe that someone is

missing, or acting differently and react with frustration or dismissal?

Sometimes we don’t know why another part of the body has stopped showing up. Over

the years, I’ve had people ask, “where is she?” or “what is he doing?” I like to reply,

“why don’t you contact them?” I think one of the best ways we can be a body that cares

for all our parts is to be aware of when someone is missing or acting differently, and to

then find ways to care for that person. When the body, as a whole, cares for all the

parts, the body is much stronger. As I write about this, I am wondering how you have

experienced this care. I would love to hear your stories.

Meanwhile I will hold you all in prayer as you worship in your lay-led service tomorrow. I

look forward to seeing you in worship on May 4.

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Nancy