Congratulations on a Job Well Done
One of my favorite songwriters is Lori McKenna. A Massachusetts native, Lori has written songs for country music greats like Faith Hill, Little Big Town, and Tim McGraw, and even collaborated with Lady Gaga on writing for the soundtrack to the 2018 film A Star Is Born.
In 2017, McKenna won the Grammy for Best Country Song for her song Humble and Kind. Her lyrics remind listeners:
When the dreams you’re dreamin’ come to you
When the work you put in is realized
Let yourself feel the pride
But always stay humble and kind
AHCC, I want to take a moment to congratulate you on a job well done. On a job I’m not even sure you know you did. And I invite us into a moment of pride.
In the span of just four months, our church had the honor of hosting not one, but two, Services of Ordination. The first was for our beloved Minister of Early Life, the Rev. Jordan Rebholz, and the second was for church member and former vice moderator, the Rev. David Figliuzzi. Each service was beautiful, spirit filled, and unique to the individuals being ordained.
But I want you to understand that this is actually a pretty big deal and a place where we all should feel some pride! To be a community where folks can hear God’s call, have a safe space to discern that call, and then receive the support they need to say yes to God with confidence and joy is an incredible gift!
In a world that seeks to tear almost everything down, being a church that seeks to build up, bless, and send folks forth to be about the ministry and mission of Jesus Christ is countercultural, my friends. So today, take a moment to feel the pride. Be proud of who you are and who you are becoming. But as Lori McKenna reminds us, always stay humble and kind.
Always,
Rev. Erica