From the Pastor's Pen

Dear friends,

Yesterday my husband and I took a small jaunt over to Buchanan, Michigan to visit the Fernwood Botanical Gardens https://www.fernwoodbotanical.org/.  Mike and I have friends who have recommended a visit to this place for some time. It was actually a wonderful outing.  Although we went on a perfect day with cooler temperatures and splendid sunshine, there was hardly anyone around in the gardens.  They have clear guidelines for masking and social distancing when you do encounter anyone and the restrooms were spotless and smelled like they had just been cleaned.  It was a very safe place to visit and I recommend it for anyone feeling a little stir crazy at home!

The gardens are delightful.  They are built in a rural section of southwest Michigan so there is a large expanse of land both for gardens and trails into the woods which eventually lead you to the St. Joseph river.  The woods are old and the trees enormous.  I took this picture while we were walking the trails through these old woods.  I took several pictures of this same ravine because I was so fascinated by the way the light was dancing on the leaves on the left side of the picture.  It seemed like every time I took another picture, the light created different patterns on the leaves. 

Light is captivating.  It catches our attention and makes some beautiful things… extraordinary.  There’s a reason painters over the centuries have spent so much time trying to capture light appropriately on canvas. We are drawn to light.  Jesus once spoke about the how the light of God, working through us, captures people’s attention.  Jesus’ hope was that the light in us might cause others to praise God.  Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.  (Matt 6:16)

For most of my ministry, when I have baptized a baby, I have lighted a candle from the Christ Candle and given it to the newly baptized child with these words of Jesus.  We have been given a great gift – the very Light of God within us.  When we let others see that light, they can’t help but be fascinated and wonder about God.  Let your light shine wherever you are today!

Peace,

Pr. Sally