“We made it through the cold
and that freezin’ snow is gettin’ old…”

It’s that time of year when attendance dips a bit, we need to speak up over the air conditioners, and at least for the next few weeks, we can expect some surprised Pilgrims walking in halfway through the service — as a reminder, Sunday services kick off at 9:30 a.m., starting this Sunday, June 28.

But this year, summer also brings with it some new voices and new perspectives.

We are officially in a “Sabbatical Summer” for Charley — rather than taking the traditional three-month sabbatical, he’s splitting his sabbatical across three years, where he’ll take an additional four weeks off each summer.  With Charley’s vacation schedule this year, we could not commit to an exchange program with First Community Church, which I know is a disappointment for those who look forward to the Reverend Paul Sanderson’s sermons in the summer months.

The good news is that we’re filling the pulpit the weeks Charley is away with some Pilgrims who are preaching for the first time, including Freddie Gillespie, Rik Rowe, and Peter Zschokke. The Deacons (aka The God Squad) will be here all summer, keeping services running smoothly and wearing several of Charley’s other hats while he’s gone; and Monica’s arranging for some special surprises on our musical front.

The poet (and physician) William Carlos Williams said, “In summer, the song sings itself.” This summer, we look forward to Freddie, Rik, Peter, and all of you helping us sing the song together.

Steve Coldwell
Head Deacon