My computer sits against a wall with a window looking out into the backyard. I get to see all sorts of things. A couple of months ago, 3 deer crashed through the trees beyond, ran to the front of the house, crossed Exchange Street and I watched them as they galloped their way down Douglas Street, saying a prayer for their safety, as they headed to the woodlands beyond, I assumed.

A few days ago, there was a raccoon lumbering outside my window, not as big as others I’ve seen before. And I’ve seen some pretty impressive ones here, usually climbing up the poles to my bird feeders for Heaven’s sake. It’s a comical sight for sure. Those poles now list at all sorts of wonky angles, but I don’t mind.

This little one I saw took refuge under the big evergreen tree in the back yard. It’s a beautiful tree whose branches go all the way down and brush the ground. It’s a great hiding place. I don’t know if it’s planning to live there, I haven’t seen him since, but I rather hope not. I’d much prefer the wildlife to visit but not stay, thank you very much.
The signs of spring are all around us, my friends; the greening of the land, the leaves sprouting on the trees, the glorious colors of the budding trees. There is likely no better time of the year to ponder Hildegard of Bingen's concept of the greening of the soul. “There is a power that has been since all eternity, and that force and potentiality is green!” she wrote.

That greening is what the Psalmist describes in Psalm 23: “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.”

The way Frederick Buechner put it, “Not at every moment of our lives, Heaven knows, but at certain rare moment of greenness and stillness, we are shepherded by the knowledge that though all is far from right with any world you and I know anything about, all is right deep down. All will be right at last. I suspect that is at least part of what “He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness” is all about. It means righteousness not just in the sense of doing right but in the sense of being right---being right with God, trusting the deep-down rightness of the life God has created for us and in us, and riding that trust the way a red-tailed hawk rides the currents of the air in this valley where we live. I suspect that the paths of righteousness he leads us in are more than anything else the paths of trust like that and the kind of life that grows out of that trust.”

My prayer for you this spring day is that you would experience that greening, that you would be led by that Good Shepherd, that you would trust like that.

Yours in the journey,
Pastor Kristen

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Announcements:

The Crete United Methodist Thrift Shop is located at 1321 Main Street. The Shop is opened on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. It’s a wonderful place to get some great bargains!

The United Women Methodist Club next meeting will be held Monday, May 06th at 1:30p, in the Narthex. All are welcome to attend. in addition, on May 21st, The United Women Methodist Club will be visiting Sunrise. Afterwards, they plan to gather for lunch. The times and dates for the May 21st will be  determined at the May 6th meeting. All are welcome to join in on the fun.

Save the Date: June 09, 2024 for our Get Reacquainted Breakfast

          The United Women Methodist Club will be hosting this event. Pancakes, sausage, and eggs

          will be served right after Church Service in Fellowship Hall. Free will donation will be accepted.

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Crete Women’s Club Plant Sale will be held on May 11th, from 9a to 1p, in the parking lot. 

 All proceeds benefit local philanthropies and scholarships. For sale will be geraniums, baskets, and           herbs. All are welcome to attend.

 

 Crete Woman’s Club Art & Craft Fair that will be held on July 11th and 12th. They are looking for vendors that will be held in the parking lot.  If interested in being a vendor for the Crete Woman Club Art & Craft Fair, please click here to connect to their website at:

https://cretewomansclubnet.wordpress.com/garden-walk/

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Cruise Nights & Farmers Market begins June 3rd, 2024                                      

Beginning June 3rd, 2024 starts Cruise Nights in Crete. It’s also the start date of Crete’s Farmers Market. The Market will be held in our parking lot, Monday nights, from June 3rd to August 26th. If interested in being a vendor for the Farmers Market, please click this link below to obtain an application for market. https://www.cretechamber.com/_files/ugd/31bb01_f897cba20e184c5abe294d8dbb8483d0.pdf
Once your completed, please send this application to cretechamber.info@gmail.com for review and acceptance.

 

The Crete Chamber will notify you via email and will send an invoice for your booth at the Farmers Market. 

 

The Farmers Market will be held in June, July, and August on Monday nights, from June 3rd to August 26th, Monday nights from 4-8p.

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