Summer is upon us and cautious summer travel plans are in the works for many people.  Actually, a lot of people. 

That’s understandable, of course, given that travel was next to impossible last year at this time.  Most people opted for a staycation that went no farther than their backyard.

Now, though, things are starting to open up.  And people are trying to make up for lost time.  Maybe you are one of them.  If you are, I pray that you have both an awesome time and a safe time.  Get some extra memory for your cell phone and take lots of pictures and enjoy a return to an “almost normal”!

When I was growing up we took a car trip vacation pretty much every summer.  My dad would take lots of pictures and, when we got home, we’d pull out the screen, turn off the lights and watch the slide show of our travels.  I can still hear the sound of the projector fan and clicking of the slide carousel as it advanced to the next slide.

When I was 13 I got a camera for my birthday right before we headed out on a trip.  It was the greatest thing.  I used it to death and still have it.  By that time, slides were old school.  I had actual print film in my camera; 35 mm.  Truly cutting edge.

The thing about the slides and print film was that, unlike cell phone photos or digital cameras, you had to wait to see what you had photographed.  There were 24 or 36 shots on a roll of film and you could only hope for the best until you got to the end of the roll, rewound it, and brought it to a camera shop for development.

Then you had to wait.  Sometimes a week or even two (this was rural Vermont).  Then you got that much-anticipated envelope back with your photos inside along with the negatives in a separate sleeve.  Long after the trip, you got see your pictures.

I’m not sure anyone today would tolerate that kind of waiting.  But, at the time, there was no other expectation.  Patience was built in to the whole venture; even if you took it upon yourself to develop your own film. 

As a church we have been practicing this challenging virtue of patience for quite a while now.  And, heading into the summer, we’re going to keep practicing it for a bit longer.  That is to say, we have taken a picture of what the fall will look like here at FCC, but we need to stay patient, as the film is developed, to see how the picture will actually come out.

Our hope is that, come September, we will be back in our sanctuary with our regular programming; abiding by manageable restrictions, if any.  That’s the picture we have at the moment.  We’ll have to wait to see how things develop.  Right now, though, I’m betting we have the lens in focus and the aperture just right so that the pictures we get back will be outstanding!

In mid-to-late August, you will get word on our Welcome Back Sunday; September 12^th.  You won’t have to guess on our plans.  Whether it be the website, social media, our newsletter, video postings, phone calls, and anything short of someone shouting from the steeple, we will let you know!

In the meantime, I hope you have a joyous summer of restoration and fun; knowing that Christ is with you in all that you do.

In Christ,

–Rev. Dominic