Here Comes Summer Fun!

One of my favorite memories growing up was the anticipation of summer as school was getting ready to end for the year. I grew up in Connecticut, so the approach of summer was a very welcome event! Flowers were blooming, the air was getting warmer, the sun felt brighter and the pace of life began to slow down. We had an in-ground pool that was covered and sometimes frozen during the winter, but by Memorial Day my dad and I had uncovered it, gotten it ready for the summer and were taking our first "cold plunge" into the still frigid water. 

Summer in Connecticut was awesome - especially as a teenager! Long bike rides, days in the pool with friends or gatherings at my best friend's beach cottage right on the cold waters of the Long Island Sound. The nights were times to hang out with friends at the movies or on the beach and I will never forget driving in my car with the windows down and "Joy to the World" (Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog!) blasting on the cassette player of my 1970 Chevy Impala with holes in the floorboard! I loved that car! Summer was a time to kick back, slow down and enjoy life!

Of course, summers in Florida, and especially here in Key West, are a little different. The only way I can tolerate being outside is to be in the ocean or a pool (sometimes the ocean is even too hot)! Otherwise, I just want to hide in the AC. Eating outside at a restaurant is completely out of the question and I can't even imagine riding a bike in the 100-degree humidity! God bless those of you who do it! It's not quite the same as my happy summer memories of my youth. But this year, I am determined to get some of that summertime joy and relaxation back into my life! I hope you will join me!

I arrived in Key West three years ago and have spent the past two summers determined that the church must keep going at the same pace all summer! I guess I was afraid we wouldn't get our momentum back if we slowed down. Well, here's a shocker for you - I think I was wrong. The rhythm of this island involves a frenzy of activity from October through April and then a "hitting of the brakes" from Memorial Day - September. Snowbirds leave to go back to their homes "up north" for the summer, there are very few tourists and the year-round residents either travel or do not want go out in the heat. Everything from the Farmer's Market to local restaurants either slow down or even close for the summer (especially in September). This is just the rhythm of the island. 

So, this summer we have decided to stop trying to swim against the tide! We will have fewere meetings and very few programs. Old Stone Coffee House and Wednesday Night Worship will suspend operations from Memorial Day to the first week in October and we will simply concentrate on doing worship well and embracing the slowdown of summer with some occasional times of fun and fellowship, like Congregatin' With Cold Brew and Cookies on the Concrete after worship for a few minutes each Sunday, reading a good book and "putting our feet up" in the spirit of self-care. I hope that this summer respite will renew our spirits and recharge our batteries for a busy and productive season that will begin this Fall. 

So, I encourage you to join me this summer in blasting some Three Dog Night on Spotify, taking advantage of some of the great local’s specials at restaurants (sitting inside of course) and visiting the wonderful resorts that welcome locals in their pools (unless you are lucky enough to have your own). Remember, Jesus told us to come to Him when we are weary and He will give us rest (Matthew 11:28). 

Happy summer my friends! (and yes, I know summer does not really start until June 21st - I'm just getting ready) 

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3:)

Grace and Peace 

-Pastor Madeline