Summer Brings a Change of Pace

In astronomical terms, summer begins with the summer solstice on June 21st. But in cultural terms, summer began last Monday with Memorial Day. Summer brings a change of pace, with backyard barbecues, concerts in the park, weekend getaways, and family vacations. The summer effect finds its way into the church as well. Things slow down a bit, with generally lower worship attendance and fewer mid-week activities. A few special events also get added to the calendar - including Breakfast on the Pass and Church Camp. Summer can be something akin to Sabbath – a time for us to experience rest and renewal for our weary souls.  When you are in town I hope you will join us for worship on Sunday mornings, and wherever your life takes you in the next few months I hope that you will have the opportunity to be refreshed. And whether these days find you traveling or at home, please remember to continue supporting Plymouth with your prayers and your financial contributions. Summer may bring with it a slower pace, but the bills still need to be paid. Thank you for being a part of this vibrant community of faith which we call Plymouth. 

- Pastor Roger  

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Beyond Our Enemy Images

This is my latest contribution to the "Pastor's Column" in our local newspaper (the Helena Independent Record).

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In ways both subtle and blatant, across all aspects of our life and culture, our lives have been and continue to be shaped by enemy images. There is an understanding of “how the world works” which operates at a deep level and assumes that the world is divided into “us” and “them,” and that “they” are out to get “us.” We hear it from our politicians. We see it in the news. We find it on our Facebook pages. We watch it unfold in the midst of our own community. Sometimes we hear it preached from the pulpit, and we even read it in the pages of scripture. It is a world view which is so ubiquitous and pervasive as to be almost invisible. It hides in the shadows, flies below our radar, and slips past our awareness. All too often we tend to think it simply is the way things are and the way they always will be, because it is the way things always have been.

The Example of Our Life Together

On a fairly regular basis people ask me about Plymouth. My standard reply is to tell them about the faithfulness of the people (you). I tell them about the wonderful energy that is present on Sunday mornings when we gather together for worship. I tell them about the ways we are involved in the community. I tell them about the fact that our building is so heavily used it is sometimes challenging to find a space to hold a meeting. And I tell them about all the ways in which I feel supported and cared for by the congregation. Sometimes I have the opportunity to listen while other people talk to me about the many ways in which they appreciate Plymouth. The other night at “Let’s Talk About It” several people approached me to share their gratitude for our congregation. In the two and a half years I have been your pastor I have come to understand that Plymouth has a (well-deserved) reputation around Helena for being a safe, open, welcoming place for people to gather. May we continue to live in such a way that people don’t need to ask us what we believe because they can see it spelled out in bold letters through the example of our collective life together. Thank you for being who you are, and for the privilege I have of serving with you as your pastor.

- Pastor Roger  
(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)