| “By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land… (Hebrews 11:29)” |
| Whatif Last night, while I lay thinking here, some Whatifs crawled inside my earand pranced and partied all night long and sang their same old Whatif song: Whatif I’m dumb in school? Whatif they’ve closed the swimming pool? Whatif I get beat up? Whatif there’s poison in my cup? Whatif I start to cry? Whatif I get sick and die? Whatif I flunk that test? Whatif green hair grows on my chest? Whatif nobody likes me? Whatif a bolt of lightning strikes me? Whatif I don’t grow talle? Whatif my head starts getting smaller? Whatif the fish won’t bite? Whatif the wind tears up my kite? Whatif they start a war? Whatif my parents get divorced? Whatif the bus is late? Whatif my teeth don’t grow in straight? Whatif I tear my pants? Whatif I never learn to dance? Everything seems swell, and then the nighttime Whatifs strike again! — Shel Silverstein Dear Friends, For many in our community, this week is filled with much activity preparing for the start of school next week: doctor appointments, shopping for new clothes and school supplies, and attempts to adjust daily schedules and rhythms. The summer sounds of life guard whistles and barbeques are giving way to alarm clocks and school bells. This year may be a kind of start to the school year we haven’t seen since 2019. Mostly. Every start of the school year carries with it some mix of excitement, stress, and anxiety. This year, maybe there is just a bit more. At Epiphany, we are also preparing for the start of our program year with a fullness we haven’t seen since 2019. There are some new, exciting possibilities and activities in our future. Last week I announced that your vestry and I invite you into discernment about welcoming a vocational deacon into our midst. This coming Sunday the Reverend Dr. Sarah Kye Price, Local Formation Director for the St. Phoebe School Deacons and Interim Vocational Development Minister for the Diocese of Virginia will join us as a guest preacher and available for questions. Maybe, with all that is happening as we head into this almost-normal-but-not-quite-familiar program year, as exciting as it is, the nighttime Whatifs strike. If that happens, remember that “By faith [God’s] people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land (Hebrews 11:29).” And here you have a faith community to walk with. Come Sunday for a day of blessings and fun! See you there! In Peace, Dina+ |