Hi Friends,

I am sending out the Friday with Friends a couple of days early because I will be out of the office on Friday due to a medical procedure.  We are headed over 140 to Medford to a hospital I don’t know and doctors I don’t know well on roads that are iced coming back in a possible snow event.  And I wish I felt totally at peace and not anxious at all.  But your pastor is human.  I know all of the Bible verses about being anxious for nothing, but in all things grateful.  I have tried repeating them. I know there is a supreme being and that all can be trusted to come to fruition in its time. I’ve tried meditation.  I have, of course, tried prayer.  I can’t imagine how anxious I would be if I had not tried all of these things.  But in the end, we are human beings on a spiritual journey.

Ever wish you had a stronger faith?  Are you questioning your beliefs from time to time? Well, as strange as it sounds, it is a good thing.  We need to take our faith out and examine it.  Questioning is part of growth. And it’s totally okay to be a human being, even if it means being anxious or not having the right answers.  I know there is a power greater than all of us together, and that I can rely on it.  Still, I’m anxious.  Still, you maybe too, or curious or doubting.  It’s okay to embrace your humanness.  There are friends to call and things to do, and a hope of a rainbow when life’s storms pass.  All will be well.

If you don’t mind a human pastor, I am here for you to hear your questions and just sit with you as you explore your beliefs and your feelings. My number is 541-363-6885, and I am in the office every Monday and Friday from 10-2.   We as a church are here for you, too. We can pray for you and hold you in the Light.  We probably won’t have your answers to all your spiritual questions, but you can have pleasant company on the spiritual journey while you wrangle with them.  Because sometimes, what we know we can do is just be in the present moment and learn from that – let that feed your soul.  And while in the present moment notice the sacred moments of your life and sacred surroundings we are all blessed with.

Joe is still in the “comment period” of becoming recorded (Quaker for ordained) as a Quaker minister.  If you know him well, it would be appreciated if you took a little time to answer a few questions. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfEK7zTlWvoqh2ljX8KnDr95kwOk0mSQNdwl6jjyz5qP1QtyQ/viewform?usp=sharing

I hope you have a pleasant weekend.  Joe will be facilitating worship and bringing the message this Sunday.  If you don’t know him well, here is your chance.

And just a FYI – If ever there is a cancellation of services due to inclement weather, we will always meet via zoom.  So if you have questions about getting out or not, know you can still join us at 10 on Sundays.

Blessings,

Leigh