Dear Redeemer Family,
We all feel it. The summer is winding down and the fall semester is nearly upon us. For many of us, there are so many things that will begin to clamor for our attention as we head into September. Our calendars will fill up and before we know it, we’ll be saying things like, “I don’t know how I got so busy!”
This happens to the Marotta family as well! One way that Rachel and I have found to combat the back-to-fall business is to sit down with our family calendar before the summer ends and make sure that the most important things get scheduled first. For us, the spiritual health of our family and the church is the most important thing. Everything else is negotiable.
So, first on the calendar goes church commitments:
Sunday Morning Worship
Saturday Sabbath
Wednesday Night Youth Fellowship
Newcomer’s Dinners
Thursday nights for hosting people within the parish.
Sunday evening Foundations Class.
Men’s & Women’s Fellowship Events
Vestry & Staff Meetings & Retreats
Next on the calendar go important dates for our little family:
Birthdays and holidays
Days of rest and play
Trips to visit relatives and friends
Quarterly overnight get-a-ways for me and Rachel without the kids
Next goes important School dates for the kids:
Monday-Friday classes
Field trips
Recitals and special programs
Next go Youth Sports:
Soccer practices and games
Swim meets
Basketball practices and games
Rock climbing (indoors, our kids love it on a rainy day!)
I could keep going, but I’ll stop there. The point is, we have found over the years that unless we proactively claim the calendar for the spiritual, relational, emotional health of our family and the church, then someone or something else will claim it for us. This helps us know how to navigate calendar conflicts and to consistently choose what is best for us and the church over what feels easy in the moment.
Example #1: Most weekday evenings, I don’t feel like I have the energy for much besides getting the kids to bed and perhaps reading a book before falling asleep with the lights on. However, if I’ve already scheduled a Newcomer’s Dinner, or an evening to host some key leaders in our church, or a Small Group gathering, then I find myself led by the calendar into something that is genuinely good for my soul. And afterwards, I’m always glad that I did.
Example #2: Often we have to choose between multiple good things. Should our child go to soccer practice or youth fellowship? Should I take Saturday off or work on Sunday’s sermon for a few more hours? If I wait until the last minute to decide, I will be swayed by whatever feels like the path of least resistance. However, if I prayerfully and thoughtfully plan out my calendar ahead of time, I am more likely to make a wise decision.
So, here’s what I am asking all of us to do: take some intentional time in the next few days and claim the fall calendar for the spiritual well being of your family and church:
Sunday Worship: First, schedule every Sunday morning for worship.
Small Group: Second, schedule one weekday evening for Small Group and sign up! Here’s the link.
Sabbath: Third, schedule one day per week for Sabbath rest. Ideally Sunday or Saturday, but it could be another day depending on your work schedule.
Fellowship & Service: Depending on your situation and life stage, mark your calendar for church fellowship and service opportunities:
Wednesday Night Youth Fellowship
Young Adult First Fridays
Men’s & Women’s Fellowship Events
CCO college ministry at VCU or U. of R.
Justice & Mercy Partners service opportunities.
Volunteering with one of Redeemer’s ministries.
Some of you already do this so very well and you’re probably way ahead of us!
Others of us are not yet accustomed to committing to things (especially church things) in advance. Consider this an invitation to try it out for the first time and see if it bears good fruit in your life.
Looking forward to a great fall together.
In the Father’s love,
