As another fall seasons begins, leaves on the trees turning color, you are invited to enter this community in new and deeper ways. From Sunday worship services, to weekday committee, fellowship, and educational group gatherings, you can explore your faith and find new friends quietly or through lively interaction. Payson Park Church is a place filled with opportunities to think about how the Christian story inspires us to live.
“Why church?” you might wonder. “Can’t I think about these things on my own as I enjoy this beautiful season?”
Of course you can. But here at church we touch another dimension of existence, one that is hard to replicate elsewhere. Rabbi Harold Kushner puts it this way in his book, Who Needs God?
What does religion offer that we lonely human souls need? In a word, it offers community… It is under the auspices of religion, and almost nowhere else in our lives, that we can meet people as brothers and sisters… Religion is community. It is the way people learn to relate to each other and to belong to each other in truly human ways.
That is what is unique to our gatherings here at church. We form a community. It’s here we learn how it feels to share not simply good times but also hard times. We reach out to God with faith and hope — and we reach out to each other. We may think this should be easy at church, but often we’re reminded it’s not. Whether we’re sharing a personal concern or working through a committee’s agenda, we face obstacles and challenges, feel obstinate or rebuffed. In short, we feel human.
Isn’t this precisely where the Christian message can help us? Jesus, the one we turn to for guidance, was human. No matter how one might question or assert his divinity, the stories describing his encounters with people were human experiences. He had good days and bad days, experienced tender moments and engaged in heated debate. Through it all, Jesus connected openly with others, never hiding his hope for the world: that we might come together in unity and peace, working for the good of all of God’s creation. That is what we have the chance to do together here at Payson Park Church. I hope you’ll join us in this exciting endeavor!
With love from The Reverend 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

Do your remember the first day of school? Whether you think back to kindergarten or high school or any year in between, I’m sure that day was filled with excitement and surprises. From finding your classroom, to meeting a new teacher and friends, the first day of school is a BIG one.

The arrival of September may still fill us with anticipation, even though as adults the delights and demands of school seem far away. In church life September may mark the time some people know they’ll begin attending worship more regularly. For others, it may inspire a recommitment to the monthly meetings of committees, education, or fellowship groups. From choir rehearsals to church school classes, from coffee hours to special all church forums, the month of September ushers in a new season, one filled with opportunities to grow.

At Payson Park these opportunities will be increased by The Reverend Rob Asinger’s transition to a new church this fall. As announced at the Council and Congregational meetings in August, Rob accepted the call as Interim Minister at Union Congregational Church of Waban beginning September 1. While he will no longer be with us in worship, Rob will remain involved in our administrative and planning processes through the fall, the specifics of which will be addressed in a forthcoming letter from our moderators. Rob’s presence and leadership will be missed immensely, and we can look forward to having the opportunity to give thanks for his eight great years of service at a celebration following our Annual Meeting in January.

It’s recognizing this and the many other opportunities September brings that I say “welcome back” to those who’ve been away these weeks of summer as well as to those who’ve filled the pews. “Welcome back” to life in a community filled with joy, where we work together for the good of all. “Welcome back” to a season filled with anticipation and even, perhaps, some anxiety, as like little children we know that a new year means stepping beyond the familiar so we can grow. May we trust love to lead us, sensing God is here, beckoning us to new and abundant life.

The Reverend Lael Atkinson

As I write these words, over one hundred children and youth gather in the sanctuary to learn new songs about faith and love. They sing and clap, talk and laugh, with old friends and new classmates. It’s the week of Vacation Bible School, and Payson Park Church is filled with God’s Spirit of exuberant welcome and abounding joy.

“Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.” Jesus’ statement in Mark’s gospel often inspires us to think about how we form our relationships with God and the church. Greeting people in the narthex this morning I saw the multiple dimensions of these words come to life. Some boys and girls ran into the church with confidence, finding their nametags and t-shirts quickly. I watched as new students entered quietly, lighting up when they recognized a friend. Still others remained shyly by their parents’ side, hands held, heads hidden. “Let the little children come to me.” The statement implies we are welcomed to arrive at this place with unleashed enthusiasm as well as with feelings of uncertainty and fear.

What an important reminder. As we grow as individual disciples and as a community of faith, we can take heart that it is in the fullness of our humanity we’re invited to develop our relationships with God and one another. Through good times and bad, through joyful moments as well as in times of challenge and strain, the teachings of Jesus lead us to be people of compassion, offering God’s abiding love not only to others but also to ourselves. This is the healing power of the gospel message: God reaches out to us in all of our humanity. As the weeks of summer unfold, I pray we may be open to such transforming grace. Peace be with you!

The Reverend Lael Atkinson

With the arrival of Easter we will sing the glorious words,“Christ the Lord is risen today! Alleluia!” In prayer, song, and reflection we’ll celebrate the new life God offers humanity not only in the eternal realm but also in this present moment. As the words of the hymn go on to proclaim, “God has opened paradise. Alleluia!” Of course, before we sing those words we will move through the events of Holy Week together. Marking these occasions is an important part of our Easter celebration, for it is with these more somber reflections we fully appreciate what is found at the empty tomb. By listening to the words of scripture describing the trial, execution, and death of Jesus on Good Friday we face the reality that the One we call Savior was rejected by the world. It’s with that knowledge we contemplate how we, too, reject God’s presence. How is is that we turn away from theSpirit of love and grace? When do we ignore the teachings of Jesus? With the days of Lent still unfolding these are questions I find running through my mind. I consider them prayerfully, not in a self-deprecating way, but rather in a manner that help me to be more open to God’s holy and transforming love. This is a season, after all, that invites us to reflect upon our commitment and confess our failings that we might become more devoted Christians.

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 good! God’s love never ends! Alleluia!”
Amen. The Reverend Lael Atkinson