Dear Church,

Sunday is St Patrick’s Day! A festive time for many to be sure, but a time also when I always recall the work of Irish poet, writer, priest, and philosopher John O’Donohue. I especially find his poetry a breath of fresh air, a reminder of the beauty of the “odd and wondrous calling” of following Christ. May it breathe new life into you this weekend as well:

Blessing

On the day when
the weight deadens
on your shoulders
and you stumble,
may the clay dance
to balance you.
And when your eyes
freeze behind
the grey window
and the ghost of loss
gets in to you,
may a flock of colours,
indigo, red, green,
and azure blue
come to awaken in you
a meadow of delight.

When the canvas frays
in the currach of thought
and a stain of ocean
blackens beneath you,
may there come across the waters
a path of yellow moonlight
to bring you safely home.

May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
may the clarity of light be yours,
may the fluency of the ocean be yours,
may the protection of the ancestors be yours.
And so may a slow
wind work these words
of love around you,
an invisible cloak
to mind your life.

–John O’Donohue

The Road Rise to Meet You!

Rev. Ben

Announcements

• Family Promise: It’s time to start thinking about Family Promise again, and Easter comes early this year! We will be providing all the fixings for Easter baskets. We will need Easter candy (all candy must be individually wrapped), Easter grass, and small toys/party favors. Donation boxes are located in the breezeway and the classroom across from the office. All Easter basket donations are due at church by March 24, 2024 so the families have time to assemble baskets for their children. Our week to host dinner for our families is April 7-13, 2024. As we get closer to this date there will be a signup sheet posted in the narthex. We will need a main entrée and two sides for about 15 people. We will also need a driver to take the meals up to the Day Center each night. Please consider helping with this mission.
• Church Workday: Calling all “weekend warriors”!!! The Building & Grounds Team will be holding a workday on Saturday, March 16. Join us as we spruce up the church grounds. We’ll begin at 10am with plans to wrap up by noon. Grab your favorite yard tools & gardening gloves & join us as we take care of one of the many blessings God has gifted us.
• REMINDER…FPCoG our 5th Saturday commitment for H.O.P.E is Saturday, March 30. A sign-up sheet is on the table near the hallway in the Narthex. Please sign up to provide food, help prepare, set up, serve, clean up, or come and converse with the guests at H.O.P.E. Help provide a day of dignity and help nourish the bodies and souls of the homeless in our community! If you have any questions, please contact Julie Tedder.
• The Thursday Morning Bible Study: The Thursday Morning Bible Study continues their Lenten studies. Please join us each Thursday at 10am!
• The Adult Sunday School class meets each Sunday morning at 9:30 am for thoughtful discussion and fellowship in the comfort of your home or live & in person. They are using THE PRESENT WORD Bible Study. Please contact Karen Lovering or Mike Koenig for more information. Hope to see you there!
• Walking Group: The Walking Group meets each Tuesday weather permitting. The walking group meets at the Village at 6pm to walk. We will park at Cadence assisted living on Minglewood Dr. and walk 2 laps around the Village. If you have any questions, contact Martha Long. In the event there is inclement weather, we’ll just gather the following week.
• Liftavator update: The Building & Grounds Team is pleased to announce that the initial deposit has been placed for the installation of the exterior vertical lift to be placed near the church office and choir room. Information on the liftavator and FAQ sheets can be found in the narthex. For any questions contact Karen Lovering and Komivi Ekoule.