Be Better
John said to Jesus,
"Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons,
but we told him to stop because he wasn’t in our group.”
“Don’t stop him!” Jesus said.
Mark 9:38-39 (NLT)
Dear Friend,
With every passing year
I find myself having to reevaluate what it means to Be Better.
In my early years as Pastor John at The First Congregational Church of Dudley,
United Church of Christ I was convinced that to be better meant I had to work
extraordinarily long hours and take on more and more work and convince everyone
around me that this was okay. Well, if I’m being honest, which I really do want to be,
it’s only been the last 2 or 3 years I’ve been thinking differently about this. And if I’m
being really really honest, it’s only been the past few months that
I’ve been living differently in a way that other people notice.
The possible return of The Dudley Hill Players in May 2025 with a production of
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a perfect example of this.
Here’s what I’ve placed in the JOYS of my weekly PJs Place e-newsletter:
Those who work Backstage -
Following worship on October 27 in the Eaton Music Room there is going to be a
meeting of those who are interested in working backstage as we work towards a
May 2025 production of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It is
possible that this production will not occur if enough people do not come forward.
Bella Carey, who now works professionally as a theater director and teacher has
agreed to volunteer her time working with The Dudley Hill Players to make this
happen, yet we need folks interested in costumes, set construction, lighting, sound
and more. Also, a Stage Manager is greatly needed. So, if you are interested, please
come out on October 27 as a determination for the future of this production will be
made. And please know, PJ believes if it is meant to happen, it will happen. If not,
then not. Yet for this production, he cannot be as involved (even though he might still be
an actor) as he has been in years past. Whether this production happens is entirely in your hands.
Perhaps the ways in which we’re called to “be better” are different at different points
along our life’s journey. Will our Jekyll and Hyde play happen? At this moment, I’m
not sure. One of the reasons I’m not sure is because I know that for me to be better,
I must no longer have various projects revolve around me. During past productions
of The Dudley Hill Players (for example) I’ve allowed myself to be the person
(calling myself the producer) around which the entire production revolved. At 62
(closer to 63) I’ve come to realize I just can’t do that anymore, while also being
my best with everything else being Pastor John involves, while
also being my best as husband, friend, father, papa and more.
During worship on Sunday, during a service in which we’ll welcome another wonderful
person into the official membership of our church family, I’ll focus on this theme, considering
all those who encourage us to be better, with a special focus on the loving
memory and continuing inspiration of the life of John Paire.
For now, blessings and deep love,
Pastor John
"Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons,
but we told him to stop because he wasn’t in our group.”
“Don’t stop him!” Jesus said.
Mark 9:38-39 (NLT)
Dear Friend,
With every passing year
I find myself having to reevaluate what it means to Be Better.
In my early years as Pastor John at The First Congregational Church of Dudley,
United Church of Christ I was convinced that to be better meant I had to work
extraordinarily long hours and take on more and more work and convince everyone
around me that this was okay. Well, if I’m being honest, which I really do want to be,
it’s only been the last 2 or 3 years I’ve been thinking differently about this. And if I’m
being really really honest, it’s only been the past few months that
I’ve been living differently in a way that other people notice.
The possible return of The Dudley Hill Players in May 2025 with a production of
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a perfect example of this.
Here’s what I’ve placed in the JOYS of my weekly PJs Place e-newsletter:
Those who work Backstage -
Following worship on October 27 in the Eaton Music Room there is going to be a
meeting of those who are interested in working backstage as we work towards a
May 2025 production of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It is
possible that this production will not occur if enough people do not come forward.
Bella Carey, who now works professionally as a theater director and teacher has
agreed to volunteer her time working with The Dudley Hill Players to make this
happen, yet we need folks interested in costumes, set construction, lighting, sound
and more. Also, a Stage Manager is greatly needed. So, if you are interested, please
come out on October 27 as a determination for the future of this production will be
made. And please know, PJ believes if it is meant to happen, it will happen. If not,
then not. Yet for this production, he cannot be as involved (even though he might still be
an actor) as he has been in years past. Whether this production happens is entirely in your hands.
Perhaps the ways in which we’re called to “be better” are different at different points
along our life’s journey. Will our Jekyll and Hyde play happen? At this moment, I’m
not sure. One of the reasons I’m not sure is because I know that for me to be better,
I must no longer have various projects revolve around me. During past productions
of The Dudley Hill Players (for example) I’ve allowed myself to be the person
(calling myself the producer) around which the entire production revolved. At 62
(closer to 63) I’ve come to realize I just can’t do that anymore, while also being
my best with everything else being Pastor John involves, while
also being my best as husband, friend, father, papa and more.
During worship on Sunday, during a service in which we’ll welcome another wonderful
person into the official membership of our church family, I’ll focus on this theme, considering
all those who encourage us to be better, with a special focus on the loving
memory and continuing inspiration of the life of John Paire.
For now, blessings and deep love,
Pastor John
Would you pray with me?
God,
each of us belongs to certain groups.
(We name them in our hearts before you.)
Each of us approaches life with certain biases.
(We name them in our hearts before you.)
And along life’s journey, each of us follows the example of others,
often those who believe in us, even when we don’t believe in ourselves.
(We name them in our hearts before you.)
Jesus,
each of us chooses, this moment, once again, to follow you.
(We name what this means for us, in our hearts, before you.)
Holy Spirit,
when we encounter others along life’s journey
encourage us to strive to deeply know them,
beyond their anger
beyond their fears
beyond their self loathing
beyond their group
to see the child of God
yearning to grow, be nurtured and break free.
Help us be kind.
Help us work hard.
Help us have fun.
Help us be better.
Amen.
____________________________________________
Become the Love you Seek!
JOURNEY on The Way
SEE the Face of Jesus
in All People
BECOME a Light of Peace,
Justice & Revolutionary Love
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