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American Christians who travel to Greece or Turkey often express shock at the outward shabbiness of Orthodox churches. Where our landscape is filled with beautiful stone Gothic, or Georgian, or Italian Revival churches, or even modern gems, churches in Greece and Turkey most often look like stone heaps. Their churches just do not impress, from the outside. But once you cross the threshold into an Orthodox church, that’s when first impressions begin to change. The first thing one notices is the dimness. The eyes need time to adjust. Once the pupils have dilated, then the beauty begins to fill the eyes. The gold and all of the iridescent colors of the mosaics overwhelm. First time visitors report that the experience of entering an Orthodox church feels like moving from earth into heaven itself. And that is the intention of the design.

When we cross the threshold into our sanctuary, we do well to recognize this kind of dramatic transition, too. We are leaving the world with all of its noise, distraction, and fevered pace, to enter the quiet and peace of sacred space so that we might find ourselves calmed, centered and comforted. Yes, we feel joy in greeting friends we may not have seen all week. Yes, of course, there will be conversation as we share concerns and show one another compassion and care.

Bringing all of this into the sanctuary before worship, however, distracts or impedes us from the important work to which we are called each Sunday morning: worship. Encountering God. When we cross the threshold into the sanctuary we are leaving the world and entering a holy space, a place set apart, where we behave differently. Reverence is a word that captures this difference, and one of its manifestations is silence.

Beginning Sunday, September 9^th, Pastor Juli and Mrs Terri, the music director, will begin moving us toward a new way of beginning worship. We are blessed with lovely chimes within our organ. We plan to announce the beginning of worship by chiming the half-hour. When you hear the chimes, hear them as the invitation to prepare for worship. Let conversations end, and turn heart and mind toward God. Pastor Juli will offer the greeting, overview of announcements and invitation to worship. Only then will the Prelude begin.

Why would we try such a different way of beginning worship?  We are hearing from members and friends that the noisy chatter at the beginning of worship, which extends through the organ prelude, is a hindrance to preparing for worship. Daily life for most of us overflows with noise, with so many voices beckoning for our attention. More than a few of us look forward to, and frankly need, the stillness and silence before worship to help us complete the transition from the cacophony of society to the peace of heaven. Thank you for journeying with us into this change.

May you find grace for the journey,

Terri Koch, Music Director                                    Pastor Juli Reinholz

* With thanks to First Presbyterian Church, Urbana, IL

On the first Sunday of August, 12 middle and high school youth and two counselors will head north to Wellpinit, WA, home of the Spokane Tribe. They will work in small teams on various projects to improve the life of tribal members. Typically, projects include the construction of porches, ramps, stairs, sheds, cleaning of yards, and painting. Youth learn how to safely use power tools and ladders, stay hydrated, and use proper protective gear.

But, perhaps the most important work accomplished during the week is the internal transformation that occurs in youth and adult participants. There is something sacred about leaving one’s comfort zone, abandoning mobile devices, working hard, making new close friends, and surrounding oneself with others trying to live out Jesus’ call to “love our neighbor.” By the end of the week, all will have been touched in difficult to explain ways.

As a former youth leader and campus minister, I have been on several week-end and week-long SSP mission trips and I’ve seen transformation take place from mid-highs to college students. Each of us is gently pushed into unfamiliar places…location, culture, and social-economic. We learn about local native culture and history. We are guided safely to do new things, meet new people, and take risks. For perhaps the first time in our lives, we are reminded we are not the “center of the universe.” Youth receive positive affirmation from caring adults and their peers for an entire week and hear compelling stories of hope and renewal.

Sierra Service Project is one of the best ways I know to spend a week during the summer. Our youth will return with enthusiasm, new friends, great stories, and a strong desire to return the next year. We are extremely grateful to Pioneer UMC for funding much of the cost of the trip from our youth endowment funds. It is apparent this church cares about our youth and has made their formation a priority. We look forward to having our youth and adults share the adventure with you when we return.

Learn more about SSP by watching this video.

Safety and Security

A church safety and security team has formed and will be implementing subtle changes around the building, such as signage to provide better emergency information.

We will be implementing different building access that may require you to use a different entrance, particularly once events begin. Ushers and greeters and door monitors will be trained to be vigilant and respond in emergency situations with standardized procedures and best practices. Medical personnel will be identified and available to respond in a medical emergency. Police and fire officials will survey our facility and offer suggestions for improved safety and security. New communications equipment will be purchased.

These changes will be almost invisible to most of us but will allow our church family to be prepared for facility, medical, or personal safety and security issues. Stay safe!