Monthly Message | June

Grace and peace to you!

It is the summer season, which means … Well, it means different things to different people because summer is like any other season. For many, summer is a month of vacations and more relaxation time; kids are out of school. It is a fun time of year. For others, summer is a busy time. Because of their careers, more work happens in the summer months.

For a variety of reasons, summer does have the feeling of a big transitional season, where things are just different compared to other seasons and other times of year.

That is true at St. Mark. Things are different during the summer at St. Mark. One of the biggest differences, of course, happens on Sundays. For most of our worship services during the months of June, July, and August, we leave the comfort of inside our sanctuary to worship outside, around our pavilion (weather permitting).

I think these services have become meaningful for me, and for many of you and others who have attended, for a few reasons. One is just the more communal and open feeling that comes from that physical space outside. Not that our sanctuary doesn’t have a communal feel — it certainly does! But our sanctuary, and most sanctuaries, has its pews placed where they are, and people sit based on those pews. When we are outside, we bring our chairs and just sit where we want — not in rows where there is a front and a back row — just anywhere. There is less order, and that’s not a bad thing sometimes!

And there are no walls. We are out in the open, with the fresh air, the scenic mountains, and, on occasion, some of our cow friends may stop by to hear the Good News!

Gathering outside actually goes back to the roots of our faith when Jesus and the early apostles would mostly talk out in the open to the crowds that had gathered to hear from or about Jesus. Yes, they had their moments inside places such as homes and synagogues, but they would never stay in those places long before venturing outside.

Worshiping outside also is symbolic of how we are called to be as a church. We are not called to keep the Good News of Jesus inside the building we know as St. Mark. God has poured the Holy Spirit upon us and calls us to go out and proclaim the Good News of Jesus, using the various gifts He has given each of us.

Besides worship, we are planning for several fun events this summer — mostly outside! — including the return of our Summer outdoor concerts, 5-Day Club for kids, and attending a State College Spikes game. Join in any or all of the fun and invite others!

Whatever summer means to you, I pray you and your loved ones find time to rest and enjoy the outdoors.

Pastor David