As the weeks of summer come to a close, fresh breezes and the sun’s light still warming our skin, Henry David Thoreau’s words reach us from nearby Walden Pond: “If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.”

What are your dreams, for your life, for our life together? Do you have magnificent hopes for the days that lie ahead?

It’s the stories of Jesus that inspire me to “build castles in the air.” From the accounts of him reaching out to the judged and outcast to ways he challenges those first disciples, I come to believe our lives can be filled with harmony and peace, a dream that’s founded on life in human community. And as the new fall season begins, that’s why I’m glad you are a part of Payson Park Church. Member or friend, I’m grateful you’re willing to explore the joys and sorrows of our human existence in this faith community. For it is here that “castles in the air” meet their foundation, as we experience God’s life-giving presence together. It’s here we build temples of love in our hearts.

Peace to you these final days of summer.

The Reverend Lael Atkinson

Do you have a favorite monument in New England? Is there a piece of artwork in the area that always catches your eye? My favorite statue sits between Gloucester and Hereford Streets on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston’s Back Bay, a larger than life likeness of a man sitting on a huge boulder in a slicker and ball cap, a pair of binoculars in his hands. It’s Samuel Eliot Morrison, “Sailor and Historian,” and carved into a rock below are his words: Dream dreams, then write them. Aye, but live them first.
What are your dreams for the summer? What are your hopes in life? In a season offering more time for rest and reflection we might pause and wonder just what it is we’re striving toward. Are our aspirations aligned with our convictions?

Our theme at Payson Park this year has come from Jesus’ words found in the Gospel of John, “I am the vine,” an image reminding us how our Christian faith connects us with God’s presence and all of creation. They are words inspiring us to remain rooted in loving faith no matter what our gifts or circumstances, acknowledging, always, the part we play in the greater whole. As these weeks find us branching out through summer season activities, it is my prayer we’ll keep lovingly connected with each other and with God, that in this time of such global disaster and unrest we may dare to bring Christ’s dream of love and compassion to life in this world. Amen – oh, may it be so.

Faithfully from The Reverend Lael Atkinson.

PAGE TURNERS:
FALL BOOK DISCUSSIONS
As announced in the July/August issue of The Messenger, a book discussion series begins this month, featuring the works of Anne Tyler. In September, “Saint Maybe” will be featured, a compelling novel that addresses issues of faith and forgiveness. If you would like to gather with old and new friends to talk about this work and how it inspired and/or challenged you, mark your calendar for Wednesday, September 29. We’ll gather in the parlor from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. with Lael Atkinson leading us in prayer and reflection.

SABBATICAL UPDATE FROM OUR PASTOR
While the month of May still found me in a time of deep grief over my father’s death in April, the final weeks of the month had me completing a course at Andover Newton Theological School. “Praise: The Foundation of Worship,” taught by Professor Ellen Oak, enlarged my understanding of the ways we gather together through traditional and non-traditional song, the music of the church one of the most vital ways we express and expand our faith. This course, along with the others I have taken over the past five years, leads me close to the end of my classroom requirements for a Doctor of Ministry. “Why get a Doctorate?” you may be wondering. The answer is simple: I love to learn. Being a student, taking a couple classes a year, challenges me to think about the Christian tradition and the tasks of ministry from fresh perspectives, the camaraderie of classmates and professors an additional delight. The focus of my studies is “Theology and the Arts,” and I now work to complete my doctoral project proposal and the beginning of my research and writing, a task that will take 1-2 years to complete. As presented by Merry Ray, chair of the Pastor Relations Committee, at the Annual Meeting, I will be away two weeks each month through the summer for this purpose. I thank you, dear members and friends of Payson Park, for your support of this sabbatical time. You may trust that it is enriching my ministry among you, even as we miss sharing in worship and fellowship June 16 - 30, a period of continued study as well as a time I’ll visit my family again in Seattle. with gratitude from Lael

The first word I learned to spell was ―candy.‖ When we were on family excursions, my father would ask my mother when we stopped at a store, ―C-A-N-D-Y?‖ For a while his secret code worked, but soon enough I caught on. I’d pull their coat sleeves, repeating the let-ters with his same questioning tone: ―C-A-N-D-Y?‖ With the advent of my father’s death on April 13, many sweet memories fill my mind: the way he’d reach into his pocket as we got older and give each of us a dime so we could choose our own treats on those family treks; or the crinkle of the bag he held on Valentine’s Day as he’d lift out five small hearts filled with chocolates at the dining room table; or the sound of our squeals when he’d bring in the pan of fudge we’d begged him to make some Saturday nights as we watched ―The Honeymoon-ers.‖ From ferry boat rides to fishing trips, camping adventures to tennis games, I shared many special moments with my father, alone as well as with my two brothers, sister, and mother. Of course it is in this time of loss I hold such memories close. In the quiet of my mourning, I cherish times shared, grieve that there weren’t more, and feel deep sadness that my father’s life on earth is now ended. I’m also grateful for your many prayers that surround me. As people ask, ―Is there anything I can do for you, Lael?‖ I find myself answering, ―Reach out to someone and let them know you care.‖ In the spirit of life everlasting and of God’s love that never ends, live with courage, make connections, build community. We hold the gift of life in our hands this very moment. May it be sweet, rich, full, even in times of sorrow. May we share it with trust and joy, together and with God, all in the light of the empty tomb. This is the Easter promise. Thanks be to God. Prayerfully from The Reverend Lael Atkinson

How are your New Year’s resolutions holding up? Did you make any special commitments for the forty days of Lent?
Now that we find ourselves entering the season of spring, I’ve had a new idea. What about Easter Resolutions? Why don’t we make commitments related to this central celebration in the Christian year? Could we consider that?
Easter Resolutions: promises that inspire us to embrace the transforming love found in the empty tomb. They could be something large or small. For example: is there a relationship in your life you know needs some special attention? Or: would you like to take better care of God’s creation by taking a greater interest in environmental issues or your own physical and emotional health? Or: do you sense you could be helping those in need by giving more of your time or money to nonprofit organizations or to the church?
Easter Resolutions: it’s an idea that can challenge us to think more practically of ways the resurrection leads us to live with less fear and more passion, as the life and teachings of Jesus live on in the world through the very actions we take, personally and communally. This is the good news of our great faith: the love and grace of God cannot be killed. Jesus is risen! Let us then fly!
With love from The Reverend Lael Atkinson

Did you know that only 20% of Americans attend church services regularly? Do you realize that 86% of those who find a new church “home” do so because they were invited to attend worship by a neighbor or friend?

Those statistics come from the Reverend Paul Nickerson, Associate Conference Minister for Evangelism, Mission and Justice Ministries of the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ. Challenging members of local churches to share the joy of our spiritual communities with the “un-churched,” Paul stresses the need to reach out to friends and neighbors to help our communities thrive and survive. How are we doing this at Payson Park? In what new ways might we try?

It’s with these questions clear in our minds that we continue celebrating the Easter season. With signs of new life surrounding us in nature and through the great message of resurrection, we can be inspired to share the love of God and church community in new ways. On Saturday, May 2, “Sunday School Musical” will be shown in the late afternoon. On May 10 our worship will be filled with special music as we recognize the care and nurture offered by mothers and others. The following Sunday at five o’clock, a “Variety Show” will be presented, an hour of entertainment that you may participate in or simply enjoy. From worship services to weekly fellowship and educational events, Payson Park is filled with vitality and new life. How will you choose to participate? Might you consider inviting a friend or neighbor to join you?

I ask these questions in the spirit of gratitude. It is wonderful to be with you here at Payson Park Church in this time of challenge and new life. May we continue to grow together spiritually, emotionally, and as a healthy, thriving organization, all through the grace and goodness of God!

Faithfully from,

The Reverend Lael Atkinson

Signs of new life surround us: bulbs have sprouted and blossomed, the trees are beginning to bud, the sun shines more warmly on our skin. After a long, snowy winter, the arrival of spring is something we are grateful for. What a joyous time of year!
In a similar way, we also celebrate the new life at Payson Park Church. Here, as the season of Lent leads us to Easter morn, our worship themes move to the miracle of the resurrection as we marvel at the message of new life and healing found at the empty tomb. Christ is risen! God offers new life and hope to the world!
Of course, before those words flow from our lips we must move through the events of Holy Week together. By listening to the words of scripture portraying Judas’ betrayal on Palm Sunday and the passages describing the trial, execution, and death of Jesus on Good Friday, we face the reality that the one we call Savior and Lord was rejected by the world. It’s with that knowledge we contemplate how we, too, reject God’s presence in our lives. How is it we turn away from the love and grace of God? When do we choose to ignore the teachings of Jesus?
With the days of Lent still unfolding, these are questions that invite us to reflect upon our commitment and confess our failings so that we might become more loving, dedicated Christian men and women. That is why I hope you will consider attending the Sunday and special worship services in these upcoming weeks. This is a time we seek renewal and grace together, that by the light shining from the empty tomb we may truly live as God’s creation, proclaiming to the world, “God is alive! Love never ends!”
In hope and with love from,

The Reverend Lael Atkinson

As it was said many times on Sunday, January 25, by many different people, the past year we shared together was full of challenge. Updating our bylaws, assessing our name, and forming a budget in a time of organizational and global economic strain, had us working hard in new ways to talk faithfully with each other, always with care, respect, and patience. After many church forums and congregational meetings, we came to our Annual Meeting ready to speak and listen again, voting openly, then, in the Congregational tradition. It was an historic day in our life together, and I thank all who were present for the faithfulness shown, and Al Gledhill, our Moderator, for his leadership. While the name of our church did not change with the events of this past year, I believe our community did. We grew in our abilities to live and learn together in all of our diversity through difficult times. Through God’s Spirit and our love, we moved through a year of great transition.

January 25 was also the day we said “farewell” to Rob. Celebrating his nine years of service, we gave thanks for the ways he touched so many people through his ministry, young and old alike. His preaching and teaching, his pastoral outreach and mission involvement will be greatly missed. At the same time, we can be glad that his spirit lives on as we continue traveling the path we shared with him. Though we are parted physically, we will forever be joined by the Spirit’s power as we work to build Christ’s mission in this world.

And that is what we prayerfully undertake as we move forward together with nearly 130 positions filled on the newly approved Nominating Committee’s slate. Day by day, week by week, we will work together so that we and others may come to know more deeply the great Christian claim, “Love never ends.”

Amen—may it be so.
TheReverend Lael Atkinson

With the arrival of November, we approach the beginning of the holiday season. “Where did the year go?” some of us may be wondering. “I can’t believe the holidays are just around the corner!”
So often thoughts of this time of year can bring feelings of dread. Our schedules become unusually full, our lists of things to do long and overwhelming. With Christmas decorations already lining the shelves in some stores, we may feel like groaning. “Ugh. The holidays are here already!.”
As people of faith, we can choose another attitude. This is a time of year rich with meaning as we prepare to give thanks for the abundance in our lives, recognizing our place in God’s unfolding plan of hope and reconciliation. From the opportunity to vote at the beginning of this month, to our celebrations on Thanksgiving Day, to the start of Advent on the 30th, we are met with a host of opportunities to give thanks for our freedom and faith, putting into action our Christian convictions. These are weeks filled with the chance to let people know, in word and through silent witness, how the teachings of Jesus inspire us to live.
And so it is my prayer that here at Payson Park Church and beyond we will truly embrace an “attitude of gratitude,” giving thanks in new and authentic ways for our life here together as well as for our family and friends, our work and our leisure, our world and our nation. Celebrating our faith and growing sense of community, I hope we can rededicate ourselves to the mission of the church, opening our eyes and our hearts to the love that is here. There are many programs this month that will seek to help us do this. In Sunday worship services, our November Adult Education series, and in the gathering of the new group, “Caring for Creation,” we’ll be contemplating the transforming power of gratitude and the joy of keeping things simple — all so that God’s transforming Spirit may thrive at the heart of our days.
“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.” May Cicero’s words inspire us to be a grateful and generous people, now and in the weeks to come.

With love from The Reverend Lael Atkinson