A MESSAGE FROM REV. KAREN KINNEY: NURTURING THAT WHICH IS RESTING
Grace and peace to you,
I love to take walks and as the weather has warmed up, walking is more enjoyable. But I remember those winter days where all was cold, gray, brown and dull and nothing seemed to be growing. Now as spring has sprung, I see daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths and tulips coming up from the ground. Soon the buds will be on the trees and my allergies will kick in due to pollen (a messy side effect of growth).
This week’s Gospel lesson from Luke reminds 
me of my walks. Jesus tells the story of a vineyard owner who planted a fig tree in his vineyard (who knows why?!) and became angry when it produced no growth in three years and wanted to cut it down. But he was convinced to leave it alone for one more year as the gardener tended to it and put messy, smelly manure around it.
On my walks in winter, I don’t see any growth, but just like the gardener, I know that the bulbs and buds are resting and being nurtured by the ground in which they are planted. I know that Lent feels dark, but lots of light and love are also present, nurturing that which is resting.
On my springtime walks, I see the other side of Lent – days that lengthen and fill with light, bulbs that grow up through the earth into flowers and buds that become full leaves. Without the rest, there is no growth. Without care and nurture there is no bloom.
What does that say to us about our faith walk? When do we need rest and when does growth appear? What does that say to us about the First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem faith walk? When do we need to rest and when do we need to grow?
Come and explore this Sunday at either service this sense of rest and growth, and the messiness of things like manure and pollen that aid rest and growth. These two things are not incompatible – in fact we need one to inform the other. What messy manure or itchy pollen might we need? Come and see!
Blessings,
Pastor Karen