This Week from Mitch

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Last night I had the privilege of seeing the famous synchronous fireflies at Congaree National Park. For me, it was special to simply spend time with family and friends, while also marveling at nature. The funny thing to me is that there are no pictures of the event. To take a picture with my phone would have ruined the display, as the light would have disrupted the pattern.

Going to see the fireflies is a commitment to be present and experience something, to commit that sight to your mind, and then to commit it to your memory. I highly recommend it!

This Sunday we celebrate Pentecost, the feast day on which all Christians celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit. With that gift, we are reminded of the call to live out our faith in a way that seeks goodness, truth, and love. When we live this way, we are reminded of the promise that the Holy Spirit will support, comfort, guide us, and give us strength. We are reminded to listen and look for the Spirit. We each must make room in order to listen – room for quiet, room for prayer, room for meditation, room for thought, and room for God.

Watching the fireflies last night was an important experience for me. In being present I was reminded of God's beauty. I pray that our children and parents celebrating their Camp Firelight family night tomorrow evening will make room for the Spirit in their adventures. I pray that each of us at St. Martin's might find ways to be more intentional about making room for the Spirit in our lives.

In Christ,

Mitch