What's Past is Prologue

October 28, 2008

Dear St. Paul’s Family,

“What’s past is prologue.”

I’m not usually one to quote much Shakespeare, but this phrase from Act II of The Tempest has been getting a lot of attention lately.  Carved on the National Archives Building in Washington D.C., this statement has been uttered by a number of political candidates during this election year.  It is a call to remember the past, but not to be anchored by it.  It prompts us to honor those who have gone before us by moving forward into a future they helped carve but could not claim.  It is a humbling reminder that we live in a momentary link between yesterday and tomorrow.  

This Sunday, we honor our past with the observance of All Saints Sunday, as we read the names of those in our church who have died in the past year.  With the lighting of a candle and the ringing of a bell, we remember their ongoing influence upon us, encouraging us to live out our days with courage and faith.  

For just as we mourn the realities of death, we can claim the promise of life and the mystery of life beyond death.  Our faith in the power of the resurrection enables us truly to believe that what’s past is indeed prologue.  The arrival of death is merely a doorway to new life and new possibilities for us who remain.  It is a reality reflected in the words of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, our text for this Sunday:

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted… a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.”


SEEDS FOR THE FUTURE

My friend Dwight Grosvenor, pastor of Hope Parish (Pocahontas, Havelock & Plover), attends our weekly clergy lectionary group and writes beautiful “nestings.”  He e-mails them daily to friends and colleagues, and this one caught my attention as particularly appropriate for the week:

    Seeds for the future.
 
    Seeds for the future
    are formed as the flowers mature.
 
    Seeds for the future
    are formed.  As the flowers mature
   the blooms turn into seeds.
 
    Seeds for the future
    are formed.  As the flowers mature
   the blooms turn into seeds,
    while the plants are dying.

What’s past is prologue.  As we honor our past, we are given new energy and clarity for the future.  And that’s why I invite you stick around for a while after the service this Sunday.  


THE 20/20 VISION PLAN

After church, I invite you to come down to the Fellowship Hall and hear the presentation by the 20/20 Vision Team, as it outlines its comprehensive proposal for the long-term strategies and goals of the church.  Come hear the new mission, vision, and values statement that will serve as the backbone of our life together.  Hear the proposals for strengthening our ministries of worship, discipleship, fellowship, and service.  And listen to the plans for the next phase of campus renovation.  All of these proposals come directly from what the team heard from you and members of the Cherokee community, and you will have a chance to ask questions and offer your comments as we put the proposal in its final form.

This is all to prepare us for our Charge Conference on Monday, November 10, at 7:00pm, which I encourage you to attend.  Together we will formally adopt this plan and claim the future that God has set before us.  

Indeed, what’s past is prologue – a foretaste of God’s vision for the next chapter of our life together.

What a great time to be the church!

Grace and Peace,

Magrey   


The Rev. Magrey R. deVega
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
531 W. Main St.
Cherokee, IA  51012
Ph:  712-225-3955
http://www.cherokeespumc.org


Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
1  For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
2  a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3  a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4  a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5  a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6  a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
7  a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8  a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.



UMW BAZAAR NEXT TUESDAY
The theme for this year’s bazaar is “American Dreams,” sponsored by the UMW.  Let’s all join together in making it another success; if you would like to help, here are some things you could do:

1. Do you like to bake?  Consider baking some of your favorites for the morning coffee or bake sale.
2. Are you crafty?  Call Phyllis Parrott (225-5265) or Shelly Lenz (225-5505) if you need craft items picked up or if you need any additional information.
3. Make a salad for the salad bar.  Contact Amy Stief (225-3614) and she will get you the recipe and container in which to bring it.
4. Would you rather make a pie?  Many are needed for our dessert table.  Again, call Amy at 225-3614.
   

If you are not able to help in any of the above areas perhaps you can bring your friends to the Bazaar for morning coffee (8:00 to 10:30) or invite them to our noon luncheon (11:00 to 1:00).  While you are there be sure to shop our bake sale and craft tables.  All of your donations, your help, and your attendance will be greatly appreciated.


A GREATER GIFT
As part of the UMW Bazaar, the Missions Committee will be offering Christmas decorations and creches from A Greater Gift, a program provided by SERRV International.  Come purchase these fairly-traded, hand-made crafts that will create opportunities for artists in 36 countries around the world.  


DISTRICT-WIDE YOUTH LOCK-IN
We will once again be hosting a lock-in for all district United Methodist youth from Friday to Saturday, October 31-Nov.1, from 9pm to approximately 10am.  The lock-in is in conjunction with the Ingathering and will conclude with the loading of kits onto the trucks at Western Iowa Tech.  All youth grades 7-12 are invited to participate and need only bring a snack or 2-liter bottle of soda.  Pizza and breakfast will be provided.  We are in need of adults to supervise the kids in order for our youth to participate.  If you are interested, please contact Karla Wilkie by tomorrow night.