Dear Friend, I hope I never cease to be amazed and delighted with the natural world. The wonders seem endless and somehow that provides a deep sense of hope for me, especially now as some things are so unpredictable and nonsensical. Take the humble roadside fern, for example. Ferns are abundant in New England and they all started from a spore so small we would need a microscope to see it. Spores from mosses, ferns, horsetails, and fungi travel in giant spore clouds up to a mile above the earth’s surface; this is why the same mushrooms, mosses and ferns grow all over the world. Anyway, back to our familiar roadside fern…a spore landed in that spot and it was wet enough that the spore broke open and grew a fingernail-sized structure called a gametophyte that is exactly and unmistakably shaped in the form of a heart.
On the picture above, taken through a microscope, you can see the spore at the bottom from which the gametophyte grows. Find out about how the gametophyte grows into a fern HERE (fascinating). When the fern is mature, some of its leaves will be devoted to growing more spores, spores that will be carried on the winds to who-knows-where. In the video below, you can see the spore-covered leaves that (notice!) grow upright so the spores stay as dry and light as possible. “Brilliant,” you say? I think so, too.
You may have noticed that not every stalk of fern grows the special spore factories; only some do. We would be wise, like the ferns, to make sure that there are areas of our lives devoted to specific functions, too, Friend. We would be wise, like the ferns, to think beyond the here and now and prepare for the future, perhaps even the future beyond our own lifetimes. Jesus spent his ministry aiming to turn the minds and hearts of the people in his community towards what he described as the “kingdom of God” or the “kingdom of heaven.” A more accurate translation is the “reign” of God or the “reign” of heaven. Jesus teaches “Turn away from your mistaken thinking, because the [reign] of Heaven is at hand.’” (Matt. 4:17) The reign of heaven is available to us at any time, but we have to continually be bringing it about. We are invited to nurture areas of our lives that, like the spore-producing leaves of the fern, are focused on life-giving potential for ourselves and for others, too. Set aside time for something that uplifts and encourages (reading, creating, singing, walking, learning, etc…) and consider that a spiritual practice. Even the roadside ferns know that have to be intentional about such things.
“Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord.” -Hosea 10:12
We had a wonderful Community Supper last night. 27 people enjoyed the ham, beans, salad, mac and cheese and desserts.
The best of all was the great company. Thank you, Outreach!
Coming up next weekend, the Dublin Church Book Sale
Saturday June 7th 10-4 Peruse a vast array of topicsThis Sunday after church, the organizers could use help bringing in boxes of books to put along the edge of the church hall. Let’s do that! Have books or DVDs to donate? It’s not too late; bring them over to shed 2.
Children’s Sunday at Dublin Community Church -the children will lead us- Sunday June 15th at 10:30 Pizza luncheon to follow
Do you enjoy music, art, dance and learning about faith traditions?
Join us at the Building Beloved Community Faith Festival!!
June 14, 2-4pm, Pavilion behind First Baptist Church, 105 Maple Ave in Keene
This is a family friendly event including Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh, Hindu and other spiritual perspectives. Together we will share songs, dance, games, food, prayer and fellowship.
If you love to sing, come early at 1:15pm to join an interfaith pop up choir! We will learn a musical piece to perform together at the festival. Click HERE to RSVP.
Last year our church and the Harrisville church set up a prayer table where people could light candles for specific prayers that are holding. It was a GREAT thing and we have been asked to host it again. Let me know if you would like to be at the table to greet and offer a candle to whomever comes over.
Please join me in prayer.
God of sun and rain, I thank you for all of the growing things around us. Help me, too, to grow in understanding that I may bring about the reign of God within myself and within my sphere of influence. When I encounter difficulties, speak through me your words of encouragement. When I encounter impossibilities, remind me that all things are possible “through Christ who strengthens.” This I pray in Christ’s name. Amen.
