Z-Notes 4/22/21

Greetings, Third Church Friends!

I was home in Ohio for a couple of Thursdays. I got to chat and dance with my daffodils before they took their rest for another year. They form a line on the south side of my driveway and present me with my annual notification of spring. The greens will persist for a month or so, but the blossoms are finished for 2021. I also had the opportunity to clean up my various garden plots, although it was still too early to plant my annual flowers and veggies. A welcome sojourn in the dirt.

I have said often enough that the past year has been unique for all of us. There has never been a dull moment in it. This week witnessed to that truth. We spent Monday and Tuesday wondering and worrying about the outcome of the Derek Chauvin trial in Minneapolis. We are grateful that the streets of our cities remained relatively quiet since Tuesday, but peaceful neighborhoods are not our top priority. We are nowhere near the end of our communal pursuit of equality and justice for all. Our human siblings continue to be faced with brutal choices and existential challenges on a daily basis. Our work is far from finished!

I’ll admit that I am struggling with what to say about Jesus, the Good Shepherd, this Sunday. The Good Shepherd himself must weep when he assesses the tests we human ovines face. I fully expect that Jesus will reward my ruminations and direct me to the appropriate thoughts to share on Sunday. In the meantime, remember it is still Easter. We will persist in our celebration of new life in Jesus Christ!

Pastor Zomermaand
[email protected]
Office: 585-271-6513, ext. 105; Cell: 618-606-1053 (after hours; emergencies)