Dear friends,

I’m grateful to the deacons and our staff for all their hard work as we have made our way, one step at a time, through these first weeks of “re-gathering” in person and online.  We’ve made the transition to “hybrid services” (worship offered in person as well as online) with some fits and starts, some missteps and mistakes, and you have been flexible and gracious and kind throughout.  Thank you so much for showing up!  For telling us directly and kindly what is on your mind and heart.  That helps.  A special thank you to Ben Wells and his tech team for their extra hours and hours on Zoom, audio, sound, visual and all matter of things.

On Sunday we gathered “in the round” beside the sanctuary, a worship service held fully outdoors, with kids in Halloween costumes (and some grownups too!), a ritual for those who have gone before us, and worship that tried to honor the traditions of All Hallows’ Eve, All Saints, All Souls and Samhain.  Sitting in a circle, being able to see each other’s faces, was a new and different way of being in community and felt like a lovely and fitting end to the “outside” portion of our worship services this fall.  Beginning on November 7, we’ll be fully “inside” for worship in the sanctuary (limited to 60, masks, social distancing) and kids will be “up the hill” with Margit and her fabulous team of teachers and assistants.

Uncertainty continues to be our companion, and we continue to try to walk gently with one another.  Connection remains key and will become even more so in the winter months.  If you’d like to be more connected to a group, committee, class or volunteer opportunity, please don’t hesitate to email me (jenny@fplincoln.org) or any one of our staff.  How can we help this community stay strong, stay connected with each other, while continuing its long tradition of reaching out into the world to help and serve and give?  If you have an idea, share it!  With me or a deacon or a friend or a staff members.  Those “new ideas” helped create the quiet walks on Fridays, the “firepits for five,” the “virtual tea,” the parish to porch kits and so many many other things last year.

What is new and waiting to be born at First Parish in Lincoln as we strive to stay faithful to each other, to honor the sacred in our lives, to nurture vulnerability, resilience, and curiosity as we move forward, one step at a time.

In faith,
Jenny

P.S. Some of you asked for the reading from Sunday: CLICK HERE.

Office Hours:
Tuesday – Friday, 7:30am – 3:30pm

Prayer 101
Wednesdays in November at 3pm
Rev. Barbara Brown Taylor, an ordained Episcopal priest, says that when people ask her about her “prayer life” she fumbles and stumbles and would really rather talk about anything else.

If you’ve wondered about prayer yourself, have questions, concerns, doubts or confusion, join Jenny Rankin and a small group at three on Wednesday afternoons in November, when we’ll gather to have some quiet time and a conversation about prayer.

Jenny will share some of her favorite writers/thinkers on prayer; we’ll have the chance for some quiet time, reflection, writing and sharing.  Join us Nov. 3, 10 and 17 at 3 pm in the Stearns Room (we’ll meet inside with masks on).  We’ll meet in person for the first session and then re-evaluate if we want to continue in person or on zoom.  Please email Jenny if you plan to come: jenny@fplincoln.org.  This event is sponsored by the First Parish in Lincoln but you do not need to be a member to participate.  All are welcome.