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Click HERE for a printable copy PLUM Pastoral Message
May 2022
Greetings Friends,
I am writing this message on Earth Day. Earth Day started 52 years ago as an encouragement for us to take care of the planet. The Daily Bread devotion for today reminded me that the act of caring for the earth is much older. The Genesis story of creation tells us how God lovingly formed the earth in six days. And in Genesis 1:15 “The Lord God took man [humanity] and put him [them] in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.” What a marvelous reminder that God always intended for us to be stewards of the earth and all that is in it!
It is also springtime. Though the weather is constantly changing we can see the beauty all around us in this season of rebirth and renewal. The flowers are blooming. The birds are chirping. The outdoors are once again inviting us to sit on our porches, go for walks, and frolic on the playgrounds. How fitting, given that we are in the season of Easter! We experienced the greatest renewal – humanity’s redemption! We have been made new. And we are invited to continue this renewal through love and care of each other.
PLUM is entering its season of renewal as we welcome Pastor Alexander Sumo and his family to our community. We are looking forward to the ways that the Holy Spirit through Pastor Alex is inviting us to grow. One beautiful moment that we can anticipate is getting together for his installation on Saturday, July 30th. So, put that on your calendar now and look for more details in the weeks to come.
May is also a time to celebrate mothers or, as I have come to think of it, the gift of mothering. Mothering is to kindly and protectively care for another (person, animal, nature). Sometimes we are saddened when we think of the mothers that are no longer here or we grieve the absence of children. I encourage you to take a moment to reflect and thank the mothers in your life. And pause to notice the many opportunities to receive and extend the gift of mothering. It is one of the ways we honor God’s gift of renewal.
In this season of renewal, I have much to be thankful for. My granddaughter Zahra is discovering her world with looks of puzzlement and cooing sounds of joy with expressions of discontent thrown in. Both of my children, Jamila and Jaseem, will receive their Master’s in Business degrees this month. I will begin my doctoral studies at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in June. And I continue to be enriched with your love and care as we journey together in this ministry God has placed us in.
Whatever the ways God is inviting you into renewal this month, my prayer is that the gift of renewal, hope, and new life granted to us through Jesus’ death and resurrection continues to bring you joy.
He is risen! Alleluia! Christ is risen indeed! Pastor Brenda
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Pittsburgh Lutheran United Ministries (PLUM), 405 Kennedy Avenue, Duquesne, PA 15110 412-466-7773 |