RAMBLINGS WITH RUSS

JULY 2010

WHAT IS IT ABOUT TREES?

    Something in me loves the sight of a tree against a blue sky.  At the University of Redlands it is the tall fan palms, the old oaks shading the Quad lawn and the stately eucalyptus behind the dorms.  It’s the shades of green, the different structures of trunk and limb.  It’s the canopy of blue that lends a certain majesty to the scene.  Maybe it is the decades of quiet that is assumed by their growth.  Maybe it is the scale.  A person of 6 and half feet is tall.  A tree is tall at fifty feet.  Maybe it is because they are so unperturbed which gives the impression of grace.  It takes a lot to upset a tree.  Maybe it is the chemistry of the sun on the entire scene. 

But what ever it is something in me loves the sight of a tall tree against a blue sky.  I wrote this while sitting under one of those oak trees

on the lawn at the U of R. during lunch at Annual Conference.  Last year we had to vote to close or merge several congregations.  This year we commissioned many more new ministries that all envision growing into chartered ministries.  Nestor UMC was chartered in 1889 the building we still use was built in 1896.  The ministry has been nourished and continues to grow in the prayers and faith of you the congregation.

    Scripture reminds us that the church shall endure to the end of time.  Like the trees and sky God’s ecology shall use the foundation of our faith, to nourish our ministries.  May you find the love of God growing you in grace, mercy and forgiveness for the call of Christ is upon us all.

I would also like to thank Phyllis Schiltz for doing our worship service during this time.

May God Bless You Always,