Ash Wednesday reflection

Dear Minooka UMC Found Family,

Last night at our Ash Wednesday worship experience, our Youth Group served as greeters, ushers, candle lighters, readers, and song leaders. They were amazing! For instance, upon being told that the main job of a greeter is to be a smiling, welcoming presence as people enter the building, the eyes of one of our youth got big and a wide smile instantly spread across her face as she declared, “My family always tells me I was born smiling! That’s the perfect job for me!” Others pushed through hesitation and fears as they lead prayers or songs. I was so proud of them all—as were our Youth Group leaders, Jennifer and Stacy Ferguson, Katrina Nolan, and Marlin Hartman.

I appreciate those who were in attendance to experience it. Though, to be honest, I was disappointed more of you weren’t there. Now, I know some of you attended online—that totally counts, thank you! Further, I suspect the weather kept some of you away. Still, of the 36 people present in person, there were 8 first-time guests. That’s nearly 25%! Among the first-timers were a family from the surrounding neighborhood and the family of one of our youth. It felt like a missed opportunity to make a bigger, better impression on them all. 

In my not-quite-two years as your pastor, I’ve heard multiple times from multiple people and groups, “We need more young people in church.” Providing leadership opportunities for them—such as yesterday’s Ash Wednesday service—is a vital step in making that happen. But that is only one step. My wonderful found family, I say this with great love: If we want more young people in church, then we have to support them when they are up front leading.

Plus, Ash Wednesday is one of the most meaning-filled days of the entire church calendar. As one of our youth said while reflecting on the scripture reading for the day, “Jesus paid more attention to life than to death.” While it is important to remember that we are mortal and our time is precious, given all that is happening in the world today I find it even more important to remember how connected we are—even down to the cellular level! 

It is absolutely astonishing to me that the atoms that make up our bodies are made of the remnants of stars, some of which were present at the Big Bang beginning of the universe nearly 14 billion years ago. Ash Wednesday is a beautiful reminder that we are all connected to one another, we are all connected to the earth, we are all connected to the cosmos. “From stardust we are created; to stardust we shall return.”

Plotting Goodness,
Pastor Dave