Great and Quiet Achievements

Post date: Apr 22, 2022 12:39:16 PM

Dear Middletown Reformed Church Family and Friends,

Blessings to you in this season of Eastertide!

What a beautiful and meaningful Holy Week we had! After a long two years of the pandemic that kept us distanced from one another, we were able to be together for this season in some semblance of “normal” and it was joyous. Let me say to all of the lay readers, the soloists, the choir members (Handbell Choir, Joyful Noise Adult Choir, New Jericho Choir), all the people behind the scene (hello, Izaak Thorpe), the incomparable Judith Daugherty, and the ever-ready Beverly Scarano, thank you for all you gave to create a beautiful and inspiring Holy Week and Resurrection of the Lord Sunday.

And now for the week after. It is the end of a musical era. Our beloved Director of Music, Judith Daugherty (“Ms. Judy”), will retire after this Sunday. I could write quite a bit about her and the gifts she has brought to this church and all that she has meant to me as colleague and friend; but instead, allow me to give this blessing, written by one of her favorite authors, as a demonstration of our gratitude for her and all that she has given to us in her time here. (See below for our plans to celebrate Judy after worship). 

BLESSING FOR RETIREMENT

John O’Donohue

This is where your life has arrived,

After all the years of effort and toil; 

Look back with graciousness and thanks 

On all your great and quiet achievements.

You stand on the shore of new invitation

To open your life to what is left undone;

Let your heart enjoy a different rhythm 

When drawn to the wonder of other horizons.

Have the courage for a new approach to time; 

Allow it to slow until you find freedom

To draw alongside the mystery you hold

And befriend your own beauty of soul.

Now is the time to enjoy your heart’s desire, 

To live the dreams you’ve waited for,

To awaken the depths beyond your work 

And enter into your infinite source.

Come let us gather in the hope of the resurrected Christ this Second Sunday of Easter at 10:30 AM in person or on Facebook live. The Joyful Noise Adult Choir will sing “Total Praise” for our Anthem. I am preaching from the Gospel of John 20.19-31 and my sermon title is Peace Be with You. After worship, come to the Education Building for a celebratory retirement brunch for Ms. Judy as we give thanks to her for blessing us with fifteen wonderful years of music, and so much more.

In gratitude for the privilege of being your pastor and the holy call of loving you,

Pastor Trish