Dear Friends in Christ,
It’s Llamapalooza time. Which is about more than llamas.
Children of all ages are invited to come at 9:30 this Sunday to enjoy rabbits, goats, and alpacas before visiting their Sunday School classes and meeting their teachers. Our youth in grades 6-12 are invited back, as well, to begin a new level of exploration, whether beginning Rite-13 for the first time, starting the journey of pilgrimage in J2A, or rising to the new responsibility of EYC. At 6:00 in the evening, we’ll have a kick-off dinner for the youth, as well.
All of this is fun, no question. I am sure I will be in the alpaca-petting line.
But this moment also symbolizes the commitment of our community to growth. We are grounded in joy—the magic we shared at Shrine Mont, the delight of connection with one another and with God. It is in the nature of joy to spur curiosity, discovery, and growth.
Once we know joy, we take the next step: we show up to learn how to make joy more deep, more lasting, more widespread. We show up so that we may learn from one another how to be heralds of the good news.
I hope you will bring your kids on Sunday. Even more, I hope you will bring your whole self—the part that laughs, the part that wonders, the part that challenges, the part that longs for change. They are all welcome here.
Yours in Christ,
Anne+
P.S. For the record, llamas spit. And bite. Which is why there will be alpacas instead of llamas. But the name “Alpacalooza” just isn’t as good.