We're with Savanna

Today, we were in Vermont this morning - Ellen and Brendon went to Guilford to church and I was in Dummerston where Lise Sparrow was the preacher - but this afternoon we are at Fisher Home with Savanna. We just had a "Google Meet" session with Krystal and Dan out in California, and now everyone is watching the Red Sox who just pulled ahead of Toronto. Savanna is feeling tired - she has had a full day. So we are about to go back to the house in Shutesbury - Ellen, Brendon and I.

Savanna, Brendon and Katie - all eyes on the Red Sox! This morning, Lise Sparrow said it was the first time in three years ahe was doing pulpit supply in a U.C.C. church - and she said it in a way that suggested that she was under an obligation to NOT preach for three years after her resignation from Guilford in 2020. I am not aware of that as an aspect of UCC protocol for retired pastors. But in any case, she preached on Genesis 22 - the "Sacrifice of Isaac" - which is a very challenging text, for sure. She tied it into Muslim, Jewish and Christian observances, and into the 4th of July as well. Thus for example, Eid al-Adha, which Muslims observed last Thursday, alludes to the sacrifice of Isaac. At Guilford,Andy Davis was in charge of the choir, and Brendon wanted to be there for that. Quite a few Guilford "renegades" actually showed up in Dummerston because Lise was preaching. So in a way, three years makes no difference. Sigh..... But meanwhile, back in Guilford, the choir sang a Phil Ochs song, "The Power and the Glory."
The lyrics are very relevant: Come and take a walk with me thru this green and growing land Walk thru the meadows and the mountains and the sand Walk thru the valleys and the rivers and the plains Walk thru the sun and walk thru the rain Here is a land full of power and glory Beauty that words cannot recall Oh her power shall rest on the strength of her freedom Her glory shall rest on us all (on us all) From Colorado, Kansas, and the Carolinas too Virginia and Alaska, from the old to the new Texas and Ohio and the California shore Tell me, who could ask for more? Yet she's only as rich as the poorest of her poor Only as free as the padlocked prison door Only as strong as our love for this land Only as tall as we stand But our land is still troubled by men who have to hate They twist away our freedom & they twist away our fate Fear is their weapon and treason is their cry We can stop them if we try************* Here are two views of the Choir from the YouTube video this morning: one shows the whole choir, with both Brendon and Ellen in view; the other is closer up with Brendon on the right. (Remember - you can make a picture bigger by clicking on it!).

The Guilford Community Church Choir, this morning.