You CAN Go Home Again.

front of sanctuary

It's a beautiful Sunday afternoon here on my second-to-last Sunday of sabbatical, and I am still carrying that thankful, post-church, Spirit-filled feeling around the house. Today I returned to my hometown, Madison, to attend worship at the church that raised me: North Madison Congregational. The morning was wonderful, and I felt truly welcomed by everyone who took a moment to greet me.

If you kept up with my Jerusalem posts, you may remember that one of the pilgrims on that journey with me was Rev. Dr. Jay Terbush who currently serves as the interim minister of NMCC. As he remarked to the congregation this morning "Who'd have thought that we had to go to Jerusalem to meet one another!" The world either truly is small, or (as I also like to think about it) the Holy Spirit is really big. I was pleased as could be to run into a young adult that I know from Silver Lake who is serving there as the new-ish CE Director. Blessings to you, Morgan, on your ministry with children and youth.

After the benediction

Much has changed at NMCC in the seventeen years since I was a semi-active young adult member. They enlarged the cozy sanctuary, added space to the much-used CE wing, saw many beloved clergy leaders and church members come and go. A few of the folks I recognized, and was glad for the hugs. The choir, at over 20 members, was exceptional. The large family that gathered for baptism of their son filled the first three rows.  There was life and vitality and a genuineness about the gathered body that felt energized and real.

Thank you, NMCC, for making a place for this pilgrim today. God bless you in your interim time.