2nd Sunday of Easter, Pine Island Presbyterian Church
Earlier this week I thought I was going to write about the songs we sang, the well chosen thoughts from the sermon, and how we use our breath. But tonight I am drawn to the Pine Trees, sitting on the Table, that were given as welcome gifts to new members. It has been the tradition of this congregation, named Pine Island, to give each new member a Dwarf Alberta Spruce tree as a welcome gift ~ a pine tree for members of Pine Island. The words that are almost always printed next to the “logo” (I wish I knew how to copy and paste it here) are: Rooted in Faith – Branching Out in Love.
Sometimes the daily news is too much: each day’s report from Iraq sounds much like the previous day’s report with civilians and military alike being killed; Darfur, Afghanistan, Palestine all have similar stories; downsizing and layoffs and embezzlement and fraud; and then, the tragedy comes close to home – 32 people killed in one place in our own country. As we all pause, and pray, and wonder, and cry, I am drawn to the roots of the Pine Tree reminding us of our roots of faith. Roots that will somehow see us, collectively and individually, through yet another challenge. Roots that call us to turn to the One who holds us all. Roots that then give us courage to reach out in love in whatever form that takes in our corner of the world.
Rooted in faith, branching out in love, offering prayers for the grief stricken and burdened, Cathleen
