A Word with the Pastor
January 18, 2024
Hello First Church,
My family has been talking about the hymn, In the Bleak Midwinter. It’s meant to be a Christmas hymn, but we find it much more appropriate for the weather we get in January and February:
My family has been talking about the hymn, In the Bleak Midwinter. It’s meant to be a Christmas hymn, but we find it much more appropriate for the weather we get in January and February:
“In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan.
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone.
Snow had fallen snow on snow, snow on snow.
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.”
Honestly, you’d think the hymn writer was talking about the east winds coming through the Gorge (keeping Portland colder than expected), the still-frozen west hills, the layers of ice covering porches and sidewalks, and the rounds of snow and freezing rain that keep coming!
In the bleak midwinter, not very long ago at all.
By this time in the week, many of us imagined that the Portland area would be back up and running, swapping stories of snow and ice as we rebuild our normal rhythm. If only!
Not many were prepared for neighborhood conditions to get worse throughout the week due to several rounds of ice. Between power outages (lasting anywhere from a few hours to 4+ days and counting), broken pipes, tree damage, and other ‘exciting’ surprises, this week has been trying for many in our community. You and all our neighbors have been in my constant thoughts. Drop us a note to let us know how you have been and if there is any way we can help.
The church, along with many school districts and businesses, has been closed for the past week. Staff who can make it out of their homes and a few close by volunteers have managed a lion’s share of work: cleaning up after a Saturday night basement flood and chipping away at icy sidewalks and parking lots. As of Thursday morning, church grounds were still difficult to drive and walk on.
We’ll keep plunking away as we prepare to host Bishop McConnell’s memorial on Saturday morning and what we hope are our regular Sunday activities the following day.
In the meantime, you are all in my prayers.
In the bleak midwinter, not very long ago at all.
By this time in the week, many of us imagined that the Portland area would be back up and running, swapping stories of snow and ice as we rebuild our normal rhythm. If only!
Not many were prepared for neighborhood conditions to get worse throughout the week due to several rounds of ice. Between power outages (lasting anywhere from a few hours to 4+ days and counting), broken pipes, tree damage, and other ‘exciting’ surprises, this week has been trying for many in our community. You and all our neighbors have been in my constant thoughts. Drop us a note to let us know how you have been and if there is any way we can help.
The church, along with many school districts and businesses, has been closed for the past week. Staff who can make it out of their homes and a few close by volunteers have managed a lion’s share of work: cleaning up after a Saturday night basement flood and chipping away at icy sidewalks and parking lots. As of Thursday morning, church grounds were still difficult to drive and walk on.
We’ll keep plunking away as we prepare to host Bishop McConnell’s memorial on Saturday morning and what we hope are our regular Sunday activities the following day.
In the meantime, you are all in my prayers.
When there is a sea of disorder and chaos, may you find an island of sanity.
When PGE is slow to respond to your neighborhood’s power outage, may there be neighbors with generators and friends’ houses you can get to.
When the house is very full and you are stuck at home, may there be deep breaths and moments of solitude.
When the house is very empty and you are stuck at home, may there be companionship through phone calls and notes.
When you feel lonely or isolated or don’t know where to turn for help, may you remember the people who know you and will be so glad that you called them.
When it feels like the bleak midwinter, may the gentle sun shine on us all. Amen.
When PGE is slow to respond to your neighborhood’s power outage, may there be neighbors with generators and friends’ houses you can get to.
When the house is very full and you are stuck at home, may there be deep breaths and moments of solitude.
When the house is very empty and you are stuck at home, may there be companionship through phone calls and notes.
When you feel lonely or isolated or don’t know where to turn for help, may you remember the people who know you and will be so glad that you called them.
When it feels like the bleak midwinter, may the gentle sun shine on us all. Amen.
Stay warm dear ones,
Pastor Karyn
Pastor Karyn
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