Recovenanting Sunday

September 13th was a busy day and bright light in the life of our church: we celebrated Recovenanting Sunday. We had a wildly successful church picnic, a zillion kids in church school classes, a popular concert, and a first meeting of this year’s batch of confirmation students and their mentors. During church we held up in prayer and thanks the people of the church who move forward our programs, kicked off our program year, and reaffirmed our covenant. Carla preached on “Now and Next,” the church school program welcomed back students and ushered new students in, and all of the board members, choir members, and teachers stood, and were recognized and wished well for the work ahead of them.

Twenty-three students, age 3 through 7th grade, came together for church school on Recovenanting Sunday. Almost double that number has registered for the school year. They are broken into four classes: 3 year olds through Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades, 3rd and 4th grades, and 5th through 7th grades.

Thanks to the hard work of our Religious Education and Congregational Life Boards, the picnic following church on Recovenanting Sunday was nothing short of spectacular. More than 110 congregants showed up for fellowship, food, and games. There were hamburgers and bocce ball, hot dogs and croquet, and apple pie and “guess my Bible character.” Thanks to the following folks who made the picnic such a success (and apologies if I’ve left someone out): Rob Grabill, Gail McPeek, Cinny Bensen, Kathy Martin, Amy Stringer, Margaret Jernstedt, Terry Martin, Chris Jernstedt, and Jaan Laaspere.

Ernie Drown, our Director of Music, organized an afternoon concert:  “Music for Organ and Harpsichords.” Musicians Christa Rakich and Susan Ferre were well received by more about eighty people. They played the music of Bach, de Grigny, and Carrea de Arauxo. According to Ernie, “It was a beautiful concert. Christa Rakich and Susan Ferre each played selections on the organ - Rakich, a big splashy Bach Prelude and Fugue, and then a set of variations on a German hymn tune—very colorful.  Ferre played early Spanish and French organ music.  Then they finished up with a Bach piece written for two harpsichords; very intricate and soft.”

Last but certainly not least, confirmation class began with an evening program.  Six pairs of confirmands and mentors will be going through this faith journey during the upcoming year.

Recovenanting Sunday is always an exciting day in the life of our church. Thank you to the many people who made it such a success this year.

Blessings,
Sarah

P.S. In this month’s News & Views you’ll find a Pastoral Care Questionnaire. Your answers on the survey will steer next steps in pastoral care. Please fill it out and return it to the church by October 9th.