United Church of Pittsford

Dear Members and Friends of the United Church of Pittsford,

in-ter-im' 1) n. an intervening time; meantime: in the interim    2) adj. belonging to or connected with an intervening period of time; temporary: an interim order

"Be still, and know that I am God." - Psalm 46:10

Michael Halleen recently posted an interesting little article entitled 'Stillness and Sorbet'.

In it, he notes that some restaurants have the right idea. After each course, they serve a small sorbet, something to clear the palate. It is a timeout, a minute or two to let go slowly of what has been and to allow the tongue - and mind - to prepare for the next. It is an in-between time!

It is in those in-between times that we can put things in perspective, reflect on what has occurred, let the flavors subside before moving on to the next course.

Some monastic orders have a practice called statio. It means they stop one thing before beginning another. Rather than rush from one activity to the next, they pause and recognize, honor, this in-between time!

Mr. Halleen writes: "It is an idea which I try to communicate to churches I serve as an interim minister. The gap between pastor leaders can be a beneficial time of reflection and refreshment for the congregation."

The Psalmist writer suggests that it is in the pauses - the stillness - that we recognize the reality of God's presence, both in what has passed and in what is yet to come.

Marian and I look forward to sharing these next several months with you. It is an in-between time. It is a sorbet moment!

In our worship, our study, our fellowship, our conversations - our ministry together - it will provide time:

to center, to focus, to reflect, to anticipate, to make ready, to grow!

Grace and peace,

David

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