Pastor Corby's Monthly Message
June 2020
Our excitement builds as we sort through the things of the past and prepare to move into our future together in Safford! It is always with some sadness that we gather all of our worship supplies and pack up my office and our home. There are things we hold onto and things we let go of. The memories flood our minds and hearts with each item we pack and we share our favorite memories of the places we have served. There are mixed emotions of sorrow as we let go and focus our hearts and minds on the Joy that God brings as we imagine our future. We remember how God is with us each step of the way. We remember all of the places that God has brought us and all of the faces of joy, as we bring the Word of God to life.
I pray that as Pastor Mary’s time comes to an end you are able to celebrate who she has been to you as she brought the scriptures to life in you, comforted you in sorrowful times and rejoiced in times of celebrations.
As your new pastor, I look forward to connecting spiritually, making friends and business associates as we form a new family for this time and in this place. I am encouraged and excited to hear about all of the ministries you are involved in! One of them that lit my heart on fire is hearing about the Community Garden and Food Pantry. As an Iowa farmer I will delight in the smell of the
earth, and the feel of the soil and rejoice in new life springing from the ground with every new
season. I love to cook and sit at the table together and share a delicious meal.
I was a Tiger, Cubby, Webelos and Boy Scout Leader so when I saw the Boy Scout Building I was grinning ear to ear. The preschool and the thought of little voices in the morning made me realize how much I have missed the voices and open hearts of little children and families to giggle and play with. I love the outside patio and can imagine reading and visiting as the breeze comes through. As I virtually walked through the sanctuary I was struck by the beauty of creation illustrated in the Stained Glass window and could not help singing “Come, Come Everybody Worship with a prayer or song of Praise! Come, Come Everybody worship! Worship God Always!
“May God recreate in us a sense of awe, wonder and joy and may we hear the melodies of faith beckon us to be in ministry together for a lifetime of love!
Pastor Corby Jo and Philip Johnson