Summer isn’t complete for me without at least one day at the beach. I was fortunate to visit one of my favorite spots on the Rhode Island shore last week on a glorious clear day. As I savored the scenery-- the swooping gulls, the outline of elegant sail boats on the sparkling water, the ocean spray on my face, and the gritty texture of the sand underfoot-- I reflected how the shore is a place of constant motion and change. 
Waves circle continuously, rolling forward with new energy and drawing back, sometimes with surprising force. Tides move in and out on a daily basis, leaving a deposit of smooth stones and beautiful shells. The shoreline is constantly forming and re-forming. The action of the sea against the sand makes rough places plain, and everything from glass, to granite, to driftwood is transformed. The dunes are forever being sculpted by the wind. The edge of the ocean is different every day and there is always some remarkable beauty to discover. It made me think of the quote from Heraclitus, the Greek philosopher who stated, “The only constant in life is change.”
Perhaps there are transitions ahead in your own life or in your work settings. Some of these may be anticipated and familiar, like the change of seasons, but some are sudden and unexpected. Though we may find change to be unsettling or disorienting, it is always an opportunity for growth. We know that God promises to accompany us wherever we find ourselves. As you stand on a threshold, take a moment to breathe, look around, and give thanks for all that God has placed in your path.
You may know that we have two recent transitions in our Faith Formation team. Kristin Putney and Emily McKenna are no longer working for the Conference. We give thanks for the gifts they have shared with us; Kristin as Minister for Children, Youth, and Families, and Emily as Program Support Staff. Each has blessed us with creativity and faithfulness, and both will continue with ministry in local settings. They leave us with memories we will treasure, and we wish them Godspeed in their future endeavors.
Prayer: Loving God, we give thanks that your presence is steadfast, even when we are surrounded by change. As we approach a new season of ministry, give us trusting hearts. As the tides of life ebb and flow, let us acknowledge the beauty of your creation. Let us welcome the opportunities before us, and let us lead with grace and courage. -Amen.
Waves circle continuously, rolling forward with new energy and drawing back, sometimes with surprising force. Tides move in and out on a daily basis, leaving a deposit of smooth stones and beautiful shells. The shoreline is constantly forming and re-forming. The action of the sea against the sand makes rough places plain, and everything from glass, to granite, to driftwood is transformed. The dunes are forever being sculpted by the wind. The edge of the ocean is different every day and there is always some remarkable beauty to discover. It made me think of the quote from Heraclitus, the Greek philosopher who stated, “The only constant in life is change.”
Perhaps there are transitions ahead in your own life or in your work settings. Some of these may be anticipated and familiar, like the change of seasons, but some are sudden and unexpected. Though we may find change to be unsettling or disorienting, it is always an opportunity for growth. We know that God promises to accompany us wherever we find ourselves. As you stand on a threshold, take a moment to breathe, look around, and give thanks for all that God has placed in your path.
You may know that we have two recent transitions in our Faith Formation team. Kristin Putney and Emily McKenna are no longer working for the Conference. We give thanks for the gifts they have shared with us; Kristin as Minister for Children, Youth, and Families, and Emily as Program Support Staff. Each has blessed us with creativity and faithfulness, and both will continue with ministry in local settings. They leave us with memories we will treasure, and we wish them Godspeed in their future endeavors.
Prayer: Loving God, we give thanks that your presence is steadfast, even when we are surrounded by change. As we approach a new season of ministry, give us trusting hearts. As the tides of life ebb and flow, let us acknowledge the beauty of your creation. Let us welcome the opportunities before us, and let us lead with grace and courage. -Amen.
Author
Debby D. Kirk
Debby Kirk serves as leader of the staff team that provides resources for the work of nurturing disciples of all ages in the local church. Her area of focus is youth ministry. Contact her for: Faith Formation Communities of Practice Confirmation ...