Dear All,
It is crazy town around the office as we prepare all the materials for our annual meeting. On top of that, we are introducing our St. Paul’s Legacy Giving Society at the same time. Plus, we have the Lansing Symphony Orchestra’s fabulous Winterlude concert next Sunday. The concert is literally sold out. If you did not sign up for a ticket by today, you’ll have to wait until next year. By the way, you will not receive a paper ticket for the concert. Your name will be on our list, and you will be checked in at the door.
If anyone would like to help with ushering the concert, please let me know.
This week, one of our long-time, much beloved members died. Buffy Mann and her family have filled the pews and choir seats for many, many years. Buffy’s memorial service is on February 7th at 10:00 am. I pray for good weather so that all who wish to say goodbye and share their memories with Buffy’s family can be here.
As busy as it is here, it is even crazier out in the world. My daily chant is “I will not be overwhelmed; I will not be overwhelmed.” “I am God’s child, a child of hope. I am God’s child, a child of hope.” This usually works. I have found that spending less time on my phone and watching the news is helping my mental state, which, of course, is always under attack at this time of year due to the continuous gray sky and dirty snow on the ground. I also remember that this, too, shall pass. God made nothing to last forever except, of course, God’s love.
So … say your prayers. For those who are homeless and outside in the cold. For those who are immigrants locked inside their homes in fear of being arrested. For those who are victims of gun violence, war, or any type of conflict. For our families, particularly those who are far away. For the repose of Buffy Mann’s soul and for her grieving family and friends. And for yourself and the good folks of St. Paul’s.
Blessings to you and yours,
Karen+