Oh, the pleasures of springtime in rural Western Maryland ! The church yards and unpaved roads may be muddy from the nearly-daily rain, but (alas!) we begin to enter our annual amnesia of the hazards of travel during the less pleasant (at least for me!) periods of ice and snow.
The women’s groups may now resume their monthly meetings. We can plan other evening activities as well. Unlike our urban and suburban church friends, our activities ramp up, instead of slowing down.
Sure, the churches with young children slow down and stop having children’s activities because of soccer, softball, and camping activities. But those churches with few children and youth seem to find renewed energy as they host their fundraising dinners, look to parishioners to assist with monthly church workdays, and host festivals and picnics once again.
I notice more smiles and a renewed commitment to engage in activities, certain that a May or June snow is unlikely to create travel concerns. I notice that I am energized as well. I now can go to evening meetings and not begin and end in the dark. Even memorial services and celebrations of peoples’ lives can be scheduled without wondering if icy roads are in store.
The flipside? We now must worry about excessive heat. Will the wedding party wilt for the lack of a good breeze in our “natural-air-conditioned” churches? For me, the biggest challenge is projecting my voice throughout an entire worship service, including sermon, with the doors open to allow a nice breeze (and perhaps even a stray bird or creature to enter). Will the friendly bear that enjoys the church’s dumpster dare to come and join us in our melodious singing as well?
Ah—I love the life of a missioner! Winter and early spring may pose travel concerns and possibly unexpected cancellations, but oh the wonders of late spring and summer! The fresh breeze wafting in the windows and the casual, more intimate nature of worshiping amidst the sounds and smells of nature is so inviting. Suburbia does not know what it is missing.
Theresa
