We're Gettin' Out the Slide Projector

So you never got to show your neighbors those fabulous photos of your nature trip to the Australian Outback? Well, even if your trip was only "outback" on grandma's farm, Water's Edge wants to see your photos!

Send us your favorite pictures and/or videos of you enjoying/experiencing nature! We are celebrating the Season of Creation and want our Water’s Edge friends to participate.

What’s the Season of Creation? You’ve probably heard of some of the “seasons” in the Christian year: Advent (Christmas), Epiphany, Lent and Easter. Each of these seasons celebrates the life of Christ; Pentecost celebrates the Holy Spirit; and now, the newly designed “The Season of Creation” celebrates the Creator God. This provides an opportunity to remember our kinship with Earth and the creatures of Earth.

http://seasonofcreation.com/

We have a different theme for each of the four Sundays in September:

September 4 1st Sunday in Creation – Forest Sunday
September 11 2nd Sunday in Creation – Land Sunday
September 18 3rd Sunday in Creation – Outback Sunday
September 25 4th Sunday in Creation – River Sunday

Please send us some of your favorite moments in nature… either pictures or video… and we’ll share them in Water’s Edge various services.

Thank you for participating. This is a new “season” at Water’s Edge and we’re looking forward to exploring it together.

An Invitation to the Good Stuff

Yum!

That's the best way to describe today's gathering at Water's Edge: yum! From scripture selection to baptism to the sermon, the main message centered on the deliciousness of what it means to follow Jesus... to leave behind our lives as we knew them and follow His lead into this new way of living.

Rev. Molly's sermon wove together a scrumptious picture of ancient scriptures by using very relatable imagery - specifically dark chocolate, her favorite.

(http://bit.ly/pe7zwX Click here to read about a completely chocolate hotel room created by Godiva!)

You know when you're craving a certain something... such as good chocolate... but you grab what is nearby to fulfill your momentary hunger? How satisfying is that? Halfway through the nasty, no-name chocolate bar, you realize, "Ugh! This is not what I wanted! Wish I'd gone for the good stuff."

When we follow Jesus, we're reaching for the Good Stuff. And He promises that when we feast at His table, we will be sated.

In Isaiah 55, (this week's scripture), we are reminded that this invitation to follow Jesus is extended to everyone. Yep. Everyone. Even your annoying neighbor. And that mean kid from high school. Rev. Molly explained why this open invitation works: because we have the power of transformation when we take this journey together. When we feast together, everyone is invited to "... eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness- the profuseness of spiritual joy (Amplified)."

Like I said, yum!!!

Kim

PS- More to come on Lucy's baptism. We'll post pictures.

Remember Your Baptism (and the Communion Bread)

Greetings Dear Ones!

We are well into week two of my role as Water's Edge Worship Coordinator and so far, so good! Thank you for making me feel so welcome. I felt very much "at home" last Sunday, despite the fact that it was 8:55 a.m. before I remembered that I am supposed to bring the communion bread!

This Sunday we will be participating in a very special ceremony that is a perfect fit for the shores of the Water's Edge: baptism. Rev. Molly will baptise Becky Henselmeier's youngest... and we, as believers and friends, will have the great honor of standing witness for this beautiful, new spirit.

This is also an opportunity for each one of us, as a child of God, to remember our own baptism and to be grateful. During communion, you are invited to renew your baptism with us at the front altar as well.

I was baptised in the Methodist Church in Tuskegee, Alabama... where my mom's family lived. The dress I wore is pictured here, on my niece, Grace Mae. Gracie, her daddy Kyle, and my cousins Jamie, Robin, Riley, Judson and I were all baptised in this dress! My mom bought it in Wales, more than 50 years ago, when she was teaching overseas on American Air Force bases. She also had the good sense to get several vials of holy water, from the River Jordan, while traveling through Israel. Several of the children in our family were baptised with that water. Coincidentally -- my brother was baptised by Rev. Bob Fehlman (Our Rev. Bob!) when he was senior pastor at Riviera United Methodist, in Redondo Beach, where I grew up.

Do you remember your baptism?

I'll bet most of us were too young. But I surely do remember the baptism of the little baby girl in that picture above! My brother and his sweet wife, Jennifer, asked me to be Gracie's godmother. I am so honored to have that role and it thrilled me to NO END when, upon being sprinkled with water and not liking it, she reached out for her Auntie Kim! Holding that baby doll in my arms is one of the greatest gifts of my life. Her hugs are the best! And my prayers for her well-being are never-ending. I take very seriously my role as a guide in her faith journey.

So, my friends, as you cruise through the remainder of this week, take a moment to recall the baptisms in your life, and be thankful. Together we will celebrate all every single one on Sunday...

Kim

PS- No worries on the communion bread! I already bought it this week!

"You've Got Some Big Shoes to Fill"

Greetings Dear Ones,

Right about now, our intrepid Water's Edge Worship Coordinator, Darin Arntston, should be somewhere in the great state of Texas. She is on the first "leg" of what I pray is a grand, alluring and never-ending journey through her walk with God.

As most of you know, Darin is attending Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. http://www.candler.emory.edu/ This is an incredible school, ranked among the top 20 national universities, according to US News & World Report http://www.usnews.com/rankings. Candler is also one of several universities founded by the United Methodists. (Coincidentally, I graduated from American University, in Washington, D.C., which is another UMC school http://www.american.edu/).

This past Sunday (Aug 14), Molly announced that I would be joining the Water's Edge Team to (try to) take up Darin's mantle. Upon hearing this, one of the Water's Edge regulars pondered aloud, "You've got some big shoes to fill." I couldn't agree more!

Darin is actually the person who encouraged me to consider this position. She knows that I, too, am searching for discernment. I adore being part of the Lay Liturgists group-- the regular folks who offer prayers every so often in the Santuary services -- but I feel a pull to do more. Do what? I don't know, exactly. But Molly -- along with Revs LaDue, Standiford, and Ristine -- has graciously shared her time with me and provided an ear as I try to figure it all out. This opportunity is perfect and very important to me.

I am thrilled (and a smidge nervous) to be joining the Water's Edge Worship Team. Please say hello this Sunday. Let me know what's going on in your life... your thoughts about how we can do more here, virtually... anything you think might help my transition at Water's Edge.

Yes, I have some big shoes to fill. Darin is kind, intelligent, funny, beautiful and a LOT younger than I. (Maybe I should quit right now). But, I do have something in my favor: great shoes. Did you catch a glimpse of her shoes on Sunday? Taupe suede with 4" heels! Excellent! This, I can do!

See you, and your shoes, on Sunday, August 21!

Blessings,

Kim Edwards

2 Corinthians 5: 7 (more about shoes)

"For we walk by faith, not by sight."