The other day I briefly chatted with a church member while they were out raking in the church yard and we both agreed that we had hoped the results of the presidential election would have lightened our moods, and they have. However, there is still a persistent gloom that many folks are feeling, myself included. It’s what my wife refers to as the lunch bag letdown. What that is is the feeling that you got when in grade school you would open the paper bag containing your lunch, and instead of finding something sweet and filling you were confronted with another liverwurst sandwich, a lunch bag letdown for sure.

I like the idea of the lunch bag letdown as it is sort of ridiculous, and to be honest that is how I am facing the strangeness of this unfortunate season. When I think of all that has happened this year, I realize that sometimes all I can do is shake my head and laugh. That and turn to friends and check in with them. That is why I am so proud of the wonderful folks at the church who are providing opportunities for us to turn to connect. Whether it is the multitude of ways that the staff is holding spiritual check ins, or the way that the pastoral care team is checking in with folks, or ways that we are connecting through Chalice Circles and the pods. I hope that you too feel blessed by the staff, by church leadership and by each other. And if you are having one of those lunch bag letdown sort of days, drop me a line, I am always eager to hear from folks.

Peace,

Hank