Back to School!

Hey Church Family--

We are all headed back to school!

Well, at least some of us are.

This past week, Gretchen and I got to go to our adoptive school, Medulla Elementary. We served breakfast and coffee (thanks, Ewell Road Starbucks for the free coffee travelers!) and got to get to know some of the teachers. These teachers are clearly passionate, meeting them, you could just tell that they were ready to see their kids again.

This year won't be easy for any teacher and all of them will need to overcome some sort of adversity. These teachers serve a school where students come to learn, but those students get something else as well--hope.

Some of the students at Medulla come from home environments that aren't necessarily stable. These students may not know what to expect from their grown-ups at home, but they know what to expect from their grown-ups at school. They know that when they step into the classroom they will be in an environment that is safe, loving, and a great place for them to grow.

It's a lot like Shepherd's, right? We have a congregation that helps newcomers and charter members alike feel like they are at home when they walk through the door.

On August 1, we wrapped up our series on gratitude and as a sort of parting word to that series, I would like to say this: I am so grateful for all of you, but most of all, I am grateful for the DNA of our church. From our infancy in the cafeteria at Sykes to the years in between, this church has overcome adversity and still remained completely grounded in hope.

Thank you Shepherd's. And to our students, teachers and parents: have a great year.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Michael