I've often wondered how a church can go into a summer slumber.  Aren't people getting married in the summer, having babies, getting ill?  Don't people yearn for the intellectual stimulation of a good Sunday service?  Doesn't church business need year-round tending?

Truth is we don't slumber during the summer; our focus changes, our metabolism changes, but we remain active in our fashion.  We have had continuous ministerial coverage throughout the summer for emergencies and plain old business, as well.  Arline was meeting with Bill McKenney and me in her last week as Interim Minister, and Peter, fresh off his between-churches vacation, has been much present since his arrival as our new minister on August 15th.  In addition, our lay ministers, Cindy Anderson, Jane Beswick, Dorothea Bowen, Nancy Earsy, John Howell, Dave Meharry, Roberta Pittore, Marshall Wilensky and Don Yansen, have continued their regular visitations of parishioners who are sick or otherwise shut in.  We thank them for a job well done.

The summer has been the time when some of our members, listed in Peter's column, have taken over a huge piece of the Sunday programming; planning and presenting worship services throughout the summer, first-rate, thoughtful, thought-provoking services.  We thank them for a job well done.

Oh, and did I mention Friday music, where Nancy Burdine's programming and organizational skills have given us marvelous, diversified concerts?  And none of that would have worked without the wonderful musicians who've contributed their time, some members of our church, some affiliated with sister churches in the area, some from Hanscom AFB, some associated with local music schools, and some just making great music.  We thank them for a job well done.

I am in awe.

Welcome Back.

And now, refreshed, but not underserved, we return to the hubbub of our regular programming. Among other dates to remember: our Ingathering Service is September 12th, and Peter's installation is October 17th at 3 p.m.  See you.

Tom Griffiths, Board Chair