Hello Beloved!

So much dreaming, planning, praying, grantwriting, interviewing, calling, retreating, meeting, and Laura Ruth Jarrett is here, our Minister of Outreach, deep in the heart of First Church Somerville!

She’s been here for over 6 months. She’ll be here for at least 18 more months, and, God willing and we do our part, many years beyond. She has made our life together more joyful, self-reflective and God-centered, in the little time she’s been with us. This Sunday in worship we will make promises to her, and she to us, in the covenant of Installation. It feels good that it took a while to get her installation organized: it’s like having a bite of a delicious feast before saying grace in thanksgiving for it.

Beloved, will you come in hordes, and make promises to support Laura Ruth, and the future of our community?

Will you bring a pie (storebought or homemade, no judgment), and eat with us afterward?

Will you bring a little bell to ring in acclamation and alleluia?

Rev. Wendy Vanderhart, our UCC area minister (LR’s minister and mine, and that of all the churches in the Metropolitan Boston Association), will preach about promises. Pete Shungu debuts as liturgist! Whoop, whoop! Strings of Glory will play, choir will sing (and don’t forget: Choir Retreat is tomorrow 10a-4p at Unity Church of God across the street from us: all are welcome!).

And our joy is magnified: Duhamel Hall is now painted a glorious warm orange: Benjamin Moore Morning Sunshine, to be exact. It may not be morning in America, but it sure feels like it at FCS…

blessings,
Molly