From Beyond The Page

“…I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young shall see visions, and your old shall dream dreams.”                      -The Prophet Joel, 2:28

June is here and soon so will Summer arrive. This means longer days, warmer nights, and of course a plan for re-entering our building. I want to thank all lay members for their diligent work in making our worship space available again after an entire year of social distancing. As exciting as this news is, it is important to remember that the Pandemic has not been declared over. Until that day comes, we will be worshiping a little differently come July 4th. Worship may not look or feel the way that it did in January of 2020, but with will be worship so long as we gather together for the love of Christ. Now is the time to dream boldly, serve boldly, and love more boldly still as we discern God’s mission in this corner of the world.

We have some exciting news from our Synod Office. I along with Sue Turner and Judy Wright will participate in a day-long Synod Assembly this June 12th. The Assembly will take place online as we discuss elections, changes to our constitution, and celebrate some significant installations. The Virginia Synod’s Tapestry Ministry will host a worship service commemorating the Feast Day of the Emmanuel 9 on June 17th. Details concerning this event will be posted on our website soon.

In 2020, the Council encouraged me to create a stewardship plan that holistically engaged all aspects of our Church. As a result, Seasons of Stewardship was born. Each of our teams, Administration, Service and Sharing, Caring Community, and Worship will have an opportunity to use the Three-Month Model as a means of presenting, seeking, and celebrating their gifts for Apostles’ future. Our Administration Team will kick off with the season of Summer this June. Service and Sharing will have their shot at Autumn in September. Caring Community will take on Winter in December. Last but not least, Worship will bloom in the Spring next March. Four Teams, three months each, one amazing year. Let’s do this!

“Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable.”
 ― Mary Oliver

In God’s Abiding Love,
The Reverend Jeniffer Tillman,
Mission Developer