Although 'Welcome Back Sunday' will be next week, with Sunday School classes starting and a pot luck lunch following the service, this week we had a good turn-out.  I read scripture.  The choir introduced a new hymn from More Voices.  The sermon was from the heart - more personal than our minister usually does. 

It was good to sit in my familiar pew, to nod and greet familiar faces, to join with them at fellowship time, to catch up on their lives, to speak to one who requested prayers for her grandson.

It was even good to attend a short meeting about faith development programming for the fall.

I felt that I was where I belonged and I felt optimistic about our future.

Now I see - for some reason sometimes when I start a thread, I get two threads going.  So I have two threads on this topic.   PLEASE IGNOR THIS THREAD.  Post to the other one.