1st Presbyterian Church Coeur d'Alene ID
  • Home
    • Connect With Us >
      • Prayer Request
      • eNews Archive >
        • 2020 eNews Archive
  • Who We Are
    • Our Mission
    • Leadership & Staff >
      • Job Opportunities
      • Blogs >
        • Blog Archive 2021
        • Blog Archive 2020
    • Elders, Deacons & Ministry Teams >
      • Christmas Families
      • Annual Clothing Givewaway
    • History >
      • Past Ministers
    • What Presbyterians Believe
    • Annual Reports
  • Ministries
    • Children & Families
    • Youth
    • Missions
    • Serve >
      • Choir
      • Church Ministry Teams
      • Ecumenical Kitchen
      • Family Promise
      • Handbell Choir
      • Knitting for Warmth
      • Praise Team
      • Reception Team
      • VBS Planning Team
    • Grow >
      • Book Studies
      • Men's Fellowship
      • Presbyterian Women
      • Sunday Bible Study
      • Women's Circles
    • Connect >
      • Dinners at 6-ish
      • Flying Solo
  • Sundays
    • Classic Worship
    • Contemplative Worship
    • Sermons
  • Giving

Remembering and Blessings

7/27/2020

8 Comments

 
Do you remember January? Though it was only six months ago, it seems like light years. We say “January” and it feels like we are evoking a mythical time and place. Maybe that’s why it’s hard for me to recall January. So much of it seems lost in a fog that blurs memories of what defined “normal” or “ordinary”. Dropping my kids off at school, meeting a friend for coffee, casually chatting around my neighbor’s kitchen island, visiting relatives across the state, worshipping as a community of faith—was that real?

It was in January that I interviewed for the position of sabbatical pastor. I don’t remember what I wore that day. I don’t remember who sat around the table. I don’t remember the questions I answered and asked. I do remember thinking it would be an encouraging and formative ministry experience for me and for the congregation. The Spirit moved me to pray and open my heart to a summer of ministry with First Pres. 

When I accepted the call to serve in Pastor Craig’s absence, I looked forward to meeting all of you, to greeting you every Sunday, to singing God’s praise in the sanctuary together, to enjoying sweet fellowship made even sweeter with coffee and donuts, to joining hands with you in prayer, to meals and walks in beautiful downtown Coeur d’Alene, to equipping and encouraging the amazing staff, to gathering in spaces to learn and lead. My vision for our season of ministry together was glowing and beautiful. 

Like so many visions we’ve had during the past few months, my vision shattered. I still haven’t met so many of you; we haven’t joined hands to pray; we haven’t lifted our voices to sing; we haven’t enjoyed one cup of coffee or one (truthfully, two) donuts; we haven’t been able to smile or laugh together. I grieve all that we’ve lost and I pray someday the Spirit will bring us back together. 

Even as my vision for our ministry together shattered, God opened my eyes to discover beauty in the brokenness. The compassion, wisdom, and grace I encountered every time I met with the session reassured me of God’s faithful presence. The creativity, dedication, and adaptability of the staff revealed the work of the Spirit in and through them. Your generous giving to the mission and ministry of First Pres served as an anchor in storms of uncertainty. Your willingness to worship together in virtual spaces cultivated hope by reminding me that we worship a God who isn’t bound by buildings. Over and over, I witnessed Love1st being lived out in ways none of us anticipated. Together, we navigated uncharted waters—streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans—while not losing sight of our call to love God, one another, and our neighbors. I believe with all my heart God will continue to use First Pres to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ in authentic and innovative ways.

As my time as your sabbatical pastor comes to a close, I want to share a blessing with you. It is written by Jan Richardson, one of my favorite artists and authors. I imagine us speaking this blessing to one another as we begin to walk the next path God has for us.

In His Name, Pastor Jennie
Picture
Rev. Jennie Barber

This Day We Say Grateful

A Sending Blessing by Jan Richardson
It is a strange thing
to be so bound
and so released
all in the same moment,
to feel the heart
open wide
and wider still
even as it turns
to take its leave.
​​
On this day,
let us say
this is simply the way
love moves
in its ceaseless spiraling,
turning us toward
one another,
then sending us
into what waits for us
with arms open wide to us
in welcome
and in hope.
On this day,
in this place
where you have
poured yourself out,
where you have been
emptied
and filled
and emptied again,
may you be aware
more than ever
of what your heart
has opened to
here,
what it has tended
and welcomed
here,
where it has broken
in love and in grief,
where it has given
and received blessing
in the unfathomable mystery
that moves us,
undoes us,
and remakes us
finally
for joy.
This day
may you know
this joy
in full measure.

This day
may you know
this blessing
that gathers you in
and sends you forth
but will not
forget you.

O hear us
as this day
we say grace;
this day
we say grateful;
this day
we say blessing;
this day
we release you
in God’s keeping
and hold you
in gladness
and love.
8 Comments
Jackie Velez
7/28/2020 03:38:43 pm

Thank you for your words of wisdom and sharing what this season has been like for you. It does seem like we are far removed from the lives we had prior to covid-19. I liked the Jan Richardson blessing you included.

Reply
Linda Scheideler
7/28/2020 03:40:11 pm

That was lovely. I do hope we get to spend some time with you and your family. Time when we can sing and pray together and enjoy each other’s company. Bless you as you go forward to the next step in Gods plan for you.
I have enjoyed the little bit of interaction we have been able to share and thank you for answering Gods call and helping us through this difficult time.

Reply
Carol Landon
7/29/2020 11:42:41 am

Jennie,
You are such a warm, caring & godly woman 😇 We have truly been blessed with your presence in our lives, & your wisdom, discernment & strength in the time God planned for you to be with us.
Your prayers & grace inspire me, personally. Thank you for sharing your thoughts & this beautiful poem!
God brought you to us in this difficult time to share all your gifts....Praise Him ✝️
I truly hope we will get to follow you on the next part of your journey ....so please stay in touch, and I hope someday you can bring your family to worship with us ✝️
Your Sister-in-Christ
Carol







Reply
Karen Huber
7/29/2020 12:56:39 pm

As has already been said, thank you for your leadership during a most "first of a kind" experience. We assumed it would be meeting you personally - and you meeting us - but instead you were carefully chosen to take our church through some most unpredictable times! Where you and we looked forward to new friendships and fellowship, we faced a great unknown none of us had evern been through before. You led with strength, warmth, and faith! I was sorry I never had the chance to meet you in person, but I was fathful and was a part of every Sunday! Am sending you thanks for seeing us through even more than you ever anticipated, I'm sure and wishing you and your family an even deeper love for one another. Thank you for being there for our Love1st Congregation!

Reply
Jim & Wendy Taylor-Sanders
7/29/2020 02:46:48 pm

Dear Jennie,
Thank you so much for anchoring our ship during this very turbulent storm. Yes, we’re sure you had no idea what a voyage you were signing up for. One huge wave after another tried to pounce our ship, but you kept it upright and on a steady course. We were most happy to have you on board - you did a great job. Thank you so very much.
In Jesus Love,
Jim & Wendy

Reply
Kay Mills
7/29/2020 03:15:01 pm

Pastor Jennie,
I totally agree with all of the above comments. I know God had a plan for you and 1st Pres CDA when he sent you to us. Your caring love for our church was exemplified in everything you accomplished during the past three months.
I so very much loved to hear you pray. Your prayers always inspired me and I was in awe of your ability to touch every element of human kind in those prayers. Blessings to you, your family and your new ministry for Christ.
In Christian love,
Kay Mills

Reply
warren bakes
7/30/2020 12:04:05 pm

I was one of those around the table. There was no question around the table----------I'll show my age----Wasn't there a song-----It had to be you?
I hope you aren't too much the worse for wear, but-----IT HAD TO BE YOU!
FIRST LOVE!
warren

Reply
Beverly Turner
7/30/2020 12:16:30 pm

Jennie, thank you for your warm love, strength, and leadership you so graciously provided to our church. Praise God for the beautiful Christian lady He sent to care for us! Blessings for you and your family as you move on ( toward another January). In Christ, Bev Turner

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    What's Up

    Our staff is voluntold each week and with grace they share their thoughts.

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020

Home
Calendar
Connect With Us
Giving
Giving
Staff
Worship Schedule
 First Presbyterian Church | 521 Lakeside Ave | Coeur d'Alene | ID  83814
​Copyright © 2022
​
  • Home
    • Connect With Us >
      • Prayer Request
      • eNews Archive >
        • 2020 eNews Archive
  • Who We Are
    • Our Mission
    • Leadership & Staff >
      • Job Opportunities
      • Blogs >
        • Blog Archive 2021
        • Blog Archive 2020
    • Elders, Deacons & Ministry Teams >
      • Christmas Families
      • Annual Clothing Givewaway
    • History >
      • Past Ministers
    • What Presbyterians Believe
    • Annual Reports
  • Ministries
    • Children & Families
    • Youth
    • Missions
    • Serve >
      • Choir
      • Church Ministry Teams
      • Ecumenical Kitchen
      • Family Promise
      • Handbell Choir
      • Knitting for Warmth
      • Praise Team
      • Reception Team
      • VBS Planning Team
    • Grow >
      • Book Studies
      • Men's Fellowship
      • Presbyterian Women
      • Sunday Bible Study
      • Women's Circles
    • Connect >
      • Dinners at 6-ish
      • Flying Solo
  • Sundays
    • Classic Worship
    • Contemplative Worship
    • Sermons
  • Giving