Pentecost, the day we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church, marks the turning point between the fanfare of Eastertide and the everyday nature of Ordinary Time. As one liturgical season changes to the next, we are reminded that First Church is on the cusp of change itself. “Ordinarily” in United Methodist congregations, when a clergy person moves from one appointment to the next, the next pastor arrives within a week. But, over the last five months, we have been given the gift of taking a moment to breathe, to reflect, and to pause, as we find ourselves in the midst of change.

What have we made of this time? How are we making an effort to grow and consider anew what God is up to in our midst? Are we ready to say hello to new leadership? These are just a few of the questions we’ll consider this month in the series, “Ordinarily.”