Friday, November 8, 2019

First Week Reflection



Dear Friends

I thought I was off to a good start. All my first impressions of St. Dunstan’s were positive. I thought the feeling was mutual. But on the third day of my job (and my first Sunday), these two articles appeared in the Sunday bulletin, one right after the other. I was welcomed, and now they are already trying to replace me!




Kidding aside, it has been a wonderful first week. Kathleen and I were warmly welcomed on All Saints’ Sunday.  We have attended El Camino Real's Diocesan Convention. I have attended three meetings (including the weekly staff meeting), been briefed by the Associate Priest on pastoral issues and met with the Stewardship Chairman. In addition to the weekly Wednesday Eucharist there is, tonight, the monthly informal service called Common Thread which can include music from Taize to the Beatles! Two members invited me to attend Rotary where I met the local Rabbi. Kathleen came in to watch the pre-school Halloween parade and attend the weekly prayer shawl knitting group.

As half time interim (by choice), my official work schedule is Sunday through Wednesday and we are looking forward to enjoying our free time. Yesterday we saw “Harriet” a powerful movie about Harriet Tubman, the “Moses of her people”. Today, we will be exploring more of this charming Carmel Valley Village where we live (just five miles from church) including a stop at the library to get our cards. I’m going to check out John Steinbeck’s “Cannery Row” in preparation for Cannery Row Day which we will be attending tomorrow in Monterey.

Already, we are aware that this seven month, give or take a few weeks experience is going to go by quickly, so we are trying to enjoy and make the most of each day.

Of course, that is good advice for wherever we are living. Daily blessings abound when we are recognizing them and trying to share them with others.

John

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