Refreshed and restored

Dear Friends,

Summer is upon us, and I hope this change of season brings a sense of relief. Often, this time of year is associated with a little more freedom. For many, school is out, and opportunities to travel or take some time off present themselves. Hopefully, we also have the chance to reconnect with friends and family as our schedules open up—even if only briefly.

This is my first summer here at Bethesda-by-the-Sea, and many have warned me not to think in terms of “the season.” While things have slowed a bit, there are still a number of exciting summer plans right here at Bethesda.

Our Tuesday morning Bible study (9:30 a.m.) is continuing apace. Throughout the summer, we will be studying Genesis in a series entitled Patriarchs, Matriarchs, and the Promise of God. I will also be leading a summer series on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. between the services called Living the Sermon on the Mount, where we will take a closer look at Jesus’ transformative teaching and explore how it can change our lives.

We have also launched a new committee, Faith in Action, which is creating volunteer opportunities for the parishioners of Bethesda-by-the-Sea. On June 24, we will be serving food and offering activities for children at Quantum House, and on July 18, there will be a food-packing event at the Palm Beach County Food Bank.

Finally, beginning June 17, we will host Theology Uncorked once a month throughout the summer. This will be a wonderful opportunity for fellowship as parishioners gather to share food and drink while engaging in lively, thought-provoking discussions on theological topics.

Needless to say, nothing is really slowing down here! At the same time, I hope many of you will have opportunities to rest, relax, and spend time with loved ones. My hope is that our parish home will also be a place of peace and renewal this summer—a place where you can be refreshed and restored spiritually as you find moments to step away from the demands of daily life.

With gratitude,

Fr. Rob