The end of summer always brings up mixed feelings for me, even though fall is my favourite time of year. Change, transition, excitement about starting fresh, and yet heightened anxiety about “whether I am ready” for the coming busy-ness … it’s all there.
I remember as a teenager the end of summer was always bittersweet. Saying goodbye to summer friends and the carefree activities that come with summer. For a number of years I worked at the top of the mid-way at the Canadian National Exhibition at a Honeydew booth … a stall that sold hot dogs and a weird orange drink. Aside from the stupidity and harassment of many of the male customers (“and what does honey do?”), it was alternately the greatest and worst of summer jobs. I was right in the midst of much excitement, and it was common practice to bargain a free hotdog for a ride on one of the rides, which I would enjoy when my shift was over. As a raging extrovert, I loved meeting and interacting with so many people. However by the end of the two and half weeks of crowds, food smells, (at least it was better than the ice cream booth where I had worked several years before!), ignorant people, and riding the TTC in the early mornings and late evenings, I was ready for it to be over. Which was always what the Labour Day weekend represented during those years. The end of the chaos.
This year, I am excited about some of the new initiatives we have in place at Bethany this fall. These include a worship series beginning in September about discipleship and stewardship. (Prepare to be pleasantly surprised! Spoiler … it’s not just about money!) And a Faith Study called Painting the Stars, which is all about science and religion. And a monthly book study called “Talking About God.” I also look forward to all the usual activities and events that Bethany is well known for … Joy Lunch, concerts, seeing the Sunday School children and youth, and welcoming folks back.
In the meantime, I will finish the series about families this coming Sunday. I saw this wonderful youtube clip with Pete Buttigieg and Stephen Colbert this week which just about sums up what this series has been about:
Pete Buttigieg Claims the "Love of God" Is In His Gay Household
“The love of God is in that household”, Buttigieg says. Isn’t that the truth. This week I will offer several reflections on the life of Jesus, and what he said about family.
I may even talk a bit about a book called “The Book of Longing” by Sue Monk Kidd, a book that imagines what it might have been like to be the wife of Jesus. I have read a number of books by this author (The Secret Life of Bees, The Dance of the Dissident Daughter) and this one did not disappoint. Her scholarship, combined with brilliant storytelling skills, makes it one of my favourite books in recent years.
The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd | Goodreads
Finally, for those (like me) who have moments of extreme grief and paralysis about the state of the world … here’s Anne Lamott’s latest column. It gave me hope as we go into this Labour Day weekend.
Contributor: 'Summer is ended, and we are not saved.' We're not defeated, either - Los Angeles Times
Have a good one.
