Help!

Our summer theme song was written for us in 1965 by that quartet of quirky, crooning poets: The Beatles. As I sat to write this, I replayed the Help! music video; I encourage you to do the same (and to watch Ringo the entire time).

As we’ve said time and time again, our shared faith as a Christian people is not a solitary or individual one; this messy gathering that is the Body of Christ is a group project. As the Beatles sing, this mutuality is made clearer to us as we mature in community.

When we realized that Rev. Ethan, Rev. Lowell, and Drew would all be transitioning out at the same time, and that we all had conferences, renewal leave, transition leave, graduation, and vacations amid those transitions, we quickly gathered that we needed help(!) - and not just from anybody.

In January, our Staff Parish Relations began to discuss our ‘lightly staffed’ summer and determined that we needed a steady and accessible presence to help anchor our Sunday mornings throughout this season.

Thus, the Help Desk was born! Starting this past Sunday (May 12) and through the month of July, an SPRC-coordinated Help Desk will be staffed in the Sanctuary narthex during Sunday morning activities.

Help Desk volunteers are equipped to assist the clergy and staff by caring for the small needs that come up on a Sunday. Preaching or teaching Sunday School isn’t part of their Help Desk shift, but they can help you connect with the person you’re looking for or provide help to someone in physical need.

If you have a question about the morning, need to locate a custodian or staff person, want to leave a comment, note, or set up an appointment with a pastor, stop by the Help Desk first. You’ll be able to find them next to the Help Desk sign and wearing a short rainbow stole.

This is a remarkable help to our clergy, staff and lay leadership in this season. To quote the Fab Four, we sure do appreciate them being around while we get our feet back on the ground!

There are also many others who are stepping into leadership to help in wide-ranging ways, making sure First Church continues to grow in community and witness throughout the year. We are truly living into this group project together.

Be sure to say hello to the Help Desk volunteer on your way into worship this Sunday as we celebrate our confirmands and get to hear the world premiere of special Pentecost music from our choir and musicians. 

In love and gratitude for the help we give one another,

Pastor Karyn