“I believe churches are meant for praising God. But so are 2am car rides, showers, coffee shops, the gym, conversations with friends, strangers, etc. Don't let a building confine your faith because we will never change the world by just going to church, we need to be the church.” 
 
I saw this quote recently and it made me really stop and think. Our faith journeys are not something confined to buildings. Our churches are meant to enhance our faith life and worship, not necessarily be the boundaries within which those things are contained.
 
Don’t get me wrong, going to church is really important! It’s the place to which we are gathered to hear the sacred Story that changes everything. It’s the place to which God calls us to be reminded of who we are and to whom we belong. But it’s also the place from which we are sent by the Holy Spirit to our everyday lives, and our lives are also primarily lived outside of the church building. We encounter God in all places in our lives. If you look hard enough, you can find God in anything. 
 
Recently, Brandon and I went to Minneapolis to go to a concert. We saw Metallica, and a few other bands. You might be surprised to know that that experience for me bordered on holy. Not because the music was particularly religious, but rather because I was reminded of the vastness of God’s goodness and creativity. I was reminded that God desires for us to have full and abundant lives, and for us to also find rest and joy in our lives. Going to those concerts was Sabbath time for Brandon and me. It was time to get away and to rest, so that we could return renewed and refreshed to carry on with what God has called us here to Harvey to do: me to be your pastor and him to serve this community through his job.  
 
I don’t know that I’ve ever really thought about how much we as people need things in our lives that bring us joy and refreshment as I have recently. I’ve been watching some of my other pastor friends struggling with health and other crises lately and been reminded that to care for others, we have to care for ourselves. It’s akin to trying to pour water out of a pitcher that isn’t being refilled. Eventually, you run out of water if you don’t refill. 
 
So I refill by going concerts and spending time with family and friends. But I also refill by doing things like spending time with our kids and youth and in small groups like Women and Word, Theology on Tap, Women’s Bible Study, Quilting, Coffee with the Boys, and other gatherings. I find it in the smiles and greetings, the hugs and handshakes, the jokes and the laughter, and in the breaking of the bread and the weekly reminder that the body of Christ is for you, Child of God. 
 
We are people who are meant to be together, to live our lives together and to join our lives to one another. Our life together makes a sort of music, the melody always shifting and changing but a song nonetheless. It’s not always perfect, it’s not always harmonious. Sometimes our guitar strings are a bit out of tune or we might be moving to different beats and tempos. But the music we make together, by being God’s people in this time and place, is good music and it’s a joy to make. I find joy in the ordinary, everyday, in-and-out details of this life with you and I hope you do with me as well.  
 
I’m grateful to be your pastor and to be with you on this journey. Let’s make more music together. Amen! 
 
In Christ’s peace,
Pastor Katie

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Pastor Katie’s New Office Hours: 
(Also available by appointment)
Monday – 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday – 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday – 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday – 2:00 p.m. – 5::00 p.m.
Friday – Day Off
Saturday - 10:00 - 2:00