Something To Look Forward To

It can be really easy to be cynical right now. We are in a cynical time, in a cynical world, with plenty to be cynical about. I fall prey to the cynical impulse all too often, and it makes it hard when I sit down to write. I am not, by nature, a cynic. Nor do I want to be. So I sat down today with the purpose of writing something that makes me feel good, and this is what I wrote. I need encouragement to avoid the lure of cynicism sometimes, and if you do as well, then consider this a request – try to find something good for today. Find something that makes you excited or happy. I hope it’s not too hard, but if it is hard for you to do, then I hope you find yourself feeling lighter on the other side of it.

I’m really excited for this Sunday.

This Sunday, we’ll be getting together with folks from Penfield Presbyterian Church and John Calvin Presbyterian Church for a combined worship service. It will be a great time with a group of our siblings from the two congregations to share in worship. I love the energy of large groups of people. But it isn’t just the energy that I’m excited for, it’s the attitude that comes with this sort of gathering. What I’m really excited about is the ways in which we think about one another when we come together for something like this. It is one of those moments where you think “no strangers, only friends we haven’t yet met”. And yes, I’m aware that I approach these things the same way a golden retriever approaches a new person.

On Sunday, we’re going to be together and we’re going to be excited to meet each other. We’re going to eat together, we’re going to learn more about one another, we’re going to worship together.

And there will be ice cream.

There’s really nothing quite like it.

And it’s been extra fun for me because I get to see how my colleagues shine in worship. I never get to see other pastors lead worship, due largely to the fact that I’m usually pretty busy when they’re leading worship. I love planning worship, but it becomes increasingly fun when I’m able to do it with friends. Creativity is essential in worship planning (at least, I hope so), but I can only be so creative on my own. When working with friends and colleagues, the creativity isn’t cumulative, it’s multiplicative. The ideas aren’t just the ideas of three people, but a folding and stacking of ideas on top of one another. It is one person saying something, and then another drafting on that idea to make something better than could have been on its own.

I’m excited about Sunday because I get to use the best parts of my colleagues’ gifts and the best parts of mine.

There’s a lot to look forward to this Sunday.

And there will be ice cream!

Peace,

Rev. Jeff Fox-Kline

PS – The two pictures are from a sidewalk in the Neighborhood of the Arts that I ran across right after writing this.

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If this reflection resonated with you, we invite you to experience the kind of community that reminds us we don't have to face the world alone. At Twelve Corners Presbyterian Church, we believe hope grows when we worship together, share conversation, laugh often, and make room for new friendships. Whether you're searching for a church home, looking for meaningful conversation, or simply curious about who we are, we'd love to meet you. Visit us in person or reach out to us through our website, call the church office at (585) 244-8585, or send us an email. We look forward to getting to know you and welcoming you into our community.