August Pastor's Note

It was such a gift to gather together and celebrate the life and ministry of Don Allen. If you missed the service, you can view it online.

Over the course of my decade here, it has been a privilege and a gift to get to know the “extended” Trinity family - those who grew up in the church but who no longer live here. Most of the opportunities to get to know these family members have been at memorial services, which feel as much a homecoming as homegoing. For those who actually grew up together here, I know it is even more so! 

It didn’t surprise me to see Lisa (McMillin) Wooley at work in the kitchen before the service. How’s life going? Busy! Lisa said something along these lines “What happened to summer? It used to be the time when things slowed down, and we picked back up in September. What happened to the pause?”

What happened to the pause? I feel this more and more each summer. I honestly thought I would have a little more “down” time this summer, without the daily grind of school and activity schedules, having only to worry about feeding myself and the dog. Maybe I could even tackle some projects around the house! Well, friends, it was a lovely thought that has not been anything close to reality. 

Where’s the pause? Part of the problem, at least in my case, is that the speed of life is so fast and frantic so much of the time that I think to myself, “I’ll have more time in the summer, when things slow down.” I might even schedule more things, and certainly plan on getting more done, and before I know it, there go the months of June, July, and August. 

I have the boys for three weeks in the summer, and that’s the bulk of the time we have together that isn’t overrun by school and work, so I take vacation time to be with them - a week in early June and the last two weeks of July, this summer. But that time quickly becomes filled. You’ll be reading this after the fact, but as I write, the current plan is to pick up the boys on Monday the 20th, and Tuesday the 21st is already filled with appointments for the boys. So much fun for them! (not really) Then there are birthday celebrations for Isaac, our annual trip to Pittsburgh, and before we know it, they’ll be going back to their dad, but for just about a week and a half, and then they’re home to do school open houses and get ready to go back to school. Summer? What summer? Where’s the pause?

We don’t have the pause, but we still ramp up going back into the school year. Even for those whose household rhythms are no longer dictated by academic calendars, we all feel the shift. Life accelerates. 

My time in Whitehorse provided a pause for me - bookended by anything but - and I felt called to be present. To pay attention to the gift of creation, and to be blessed by the gift of participating in worship. It’s a call and intention I hope to carry forward. 

Our world continues to push us to move more quickly, more efficiently, and more productively. As we enter the month of August, can you find a pause? Even if it’s just for a bit here and there. The pause is a gift from God. Rest is a necessity. Take a beat. Take a deep breath. Take a pause. I’d love to hear how it goes! 

Grace and Peace,

Stephanie