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This week I, like many people, put on my pink and headed out to see the Barbie movie. It had much more substance than I thought it would, and who knew this gorgeous piece of plastic could have such real human experiences? Without giving too much away, let's just say that Barbie is NOT having a good day. Things aren't so wonderful as they usually are and Barbie's at a loss for what comes next. At one point you see her literally lying on the ground. When another wonders what's going on with her, Weird Barbie says, "This Barbie's not dead. She's having an existential crisis."

Who is God to you? If and when asked that question do you feel prepared to answer it? It's kind of interesting that so much of our faith is based on understanding of this Deity, this higher power, and yet when faced with a question about what God is, suddenly everything we sang, prayed, and thought about on Sunday morning worship can seem to slip out of our minds. It can be particularly difficult to talk about God with a person who has no religious experience or background. Where do you start when you're starting at the beginning of explaining who God is for you?

Each Wednesday night in the month of July, we host a movie at the church as a way to grow in community together and have some fun. This week, our movie was Matilda. Have you seen Matilda? It's one of my favorites!

I have looked at some of what is happening in our world on the news and witnessed in our local communities recently, and over my lifetime, and have wondered how we as God's human creation have been able to continue to survive and often thrive with the contradictory nature that we exhibit, and thus are snake-bitten concerning our efforts to be at peace and harmony with God, with one another, and with God's non-human creation.

"To love is to make one's heart a swinging door."
- Howard Thurman

I am drawn to welcoming people. It is a habit that I was taught as a child, and it has shaped my personality fundamentally. I am a product of my upbringing and I have continued to practice welcoming people from a child into adulthood. What I was taught as a child regarding welcoming people represents an essential part of my family's core beliefs which includes showing hospitality and care for others.

In one moment, we are peaceful and calm with most of what is going on in our lives, and in the next moment, we can be suddenly filled with the feeling of anxiousness, agitation, even panic or terror that comes like a huge wave washing over us. Often it is nothing more than the familiar fears that we live with every day but do our best to hide from those around us.

We should be concerned about the condition of certain groups within our communities, many who are members of those groups are struggling and vulnerable. The level of concern of the people in that condition near us, as well as those in a similar condition around the world, gives notice of the essential work we must prepare for as fellow missioners spreading God's love.

The Chapel Choir of Downers Grove First United Methodist Church is having a 50th Reunion this weekend. Many alumni, past directors, former church members, and pastors will be here in person or in spirit reuniting old friends, recalling old memories, and hopefully, making new friends and creating new memories for the next 50 years!

Did you know in the United Methodist Church, we have a variety of Sundays we are called to acknowledge and support? This Sunday, June 4 is Peace with Justice Sunday. On this day, we are called to remember our call to social transformation. We are invited to consider our role in peacemaking in this world and seek justice in community with those who are oppressed. Donations from this Sunday go to justice movements in our Northern Illinois Conference and globally. Often when people talk about religion, they think of doctrine in regard to dogma and belief.

We are in the season of renewal. We can see that in more than just the natural world, we too are very much aware of the personal need for renewal that we are eagerly waiting for as we pause, gather to rest, take time away, end a time of study, or enter a less busy period and look to be infused with positive energy after an intense time of learning, working, and growing. We also want and need to experience genuine joy as a normal part of our cycle of learning, working, productivity, and renewal, especially as servants of God.