A message from Rev. gretchen - May 22, 2026
- 23 hours ago
- 3 min read
Dear Church Family,
This coming weekend we hold together two important moments in the life of our church and our nation: Memorial Day and Pentecost Sunday.
Memorial Day invites us to pause in remembrance. We honor those whose lives were given in service, and we acknowledge the weight carried by families, communities, and generations shaped by sacrifice, grief, courage, and hope. As people of faith, we remember not only with gratitude, but also with prayer for peace, healing, and a world continually shaped more deeply by justice and compassion.
Pentecost is the story of the Spirit arriving not quietly, but fully alive, moving through locked rooms, weary disciples, many languages, and uncertain hearts. It is the reminder that God still gathers people together across difference, across fear, across uncertainty, and breathes new life into communities learning how to become something new together.
This week, two among you shared quotes that have quietly guided my prayers and the way I have witnessed this church living into this season together.
“When I run, I feel God’s good pleasure.” - Eric Liddell (Chariots of Fire)
“Look for the helpers.” - Mister Rogers (Rev. Mr. Fred Rogers)
Both somehow speak deeply to where we find ourselves as a congregation right now.
Last Friday evening, after the final sanctuary set up was complete and blessed, many gathered for the Deacons’ drop in dinner for children and families. Friday was busy in all the spheres of the church. Throughout the day and evening, there was laughter, movement, exhaustion, conversation, food, people carrying things, people helping quietly, and people welcoming one another. As I stood there among all of it, I found myself thinking: this is where the Holy Spirit is at work. Sometimes I think Pentecost may have come a little early.
There is something holy about watching people use their gifts with joy. There is something sacred about watching helpers appear without needing to be asked twice. There is something deeply faithful about a community learning again how to gather, rebuild, welcome, adapt, and make room for one another.
I am grateful for the many ways this congregation continues to embody care, generosity, patience, resilience, and hope. I see people running and helping with joy.
As the spirit continues to move among us in this season, I feel it’s important to share somethings for our common life together:
My email address is: gretchen@firstpreshc.org
My traditional work schedule is Sunday through Thursday. Thursdays are generally reserved as a writing day and remote workday.
Yes, my first name is intentionally spelled with a lower case “g.”
You may notice that the prayer journal is being incorporated in worship differently. During worship, ushers will gather prayer requests from the journal for our communal prayer time. The prayer journal will remain outside the sanctuary for individuals who would like to read requests more fully or add prayers throughout the week. The prayer journal will also come to staff each week so that the prayers shared by this community may continue to be held intentionally in prayer.
New announcements in “First Day” will appear in red boxes to help them stand out more clearly. New prayers will be italicized.
Pastor Rosemary will continue serving as Bridge Pastor for Pastoral Care, and I am deeply grateful for her continued presence, wisdom, and care among us.
This is the final week to sign up for the Basic/Emergency Auto Care Class taking place on June 6.
Our church picnic will be held on June 14. I hope you will join us for food, fellowship, and time together as a community.
Leadership Training will take place in the next few weeks, and installation of officers will take place in the 2nd half of June.
If you are curious about some ways the Holy Spirit may be present in our lives, I invite you to watch this.
As we move toward Pentecost together, my prayer is that we continue listening for the Spirit in expected and unexpected places, trusting that God is still creating community, still speaking, still gathering, still teaching, and still breathing life into us. Wherever you find yourself this weekend, may you see and feel the Holy Spirit in your midst.
Grace and Peace,
Rev. gretchen
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