Presbyterian Disaster Assistance:       Situation Report on the Iowa Flood       and U.S. Storms The first half of 2008 has seen the most severe storm and tornado outbreak in 23 years.  In addition to the devastating flooding in Iowa and other mid-west states, tornadoes, storms, floods and wildfires have brought destruction to scores of other communities across the U.S. PDA has responded with $246,000 in One Great Hour of Sharing and designated funds to meet the needs of storm survivors in 20 different presbyteries. Please continue to lift up in prayer the many communities and people across the country that have been impacted by severe weather this year. Those wishing to respond financially may do so by designating gifts for 2008 United States Storms, DR000162. https://www.pcusa.org/give/online/project?DR000162 Donations may be sent through normal mission giving channels. Gifts by credit card can be made by calling PresbyTel at (800) 872-3283 or online at http://www.pcusa.org/pda/donate/accounts.htm. Checks payable to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) can also be mailed directly to: Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Individual Remittance Processing P.O. Box 643700 Pittsburgh, PA  15264-3700

WELCOMING THE SPRING
        AND SUMMER SEASONS

Text:  "The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in the land."
          Song of Solomon 3:12

They arrived in our backyard some weeks ago but the joy they bring to me is unabated.  Who are they?  They are the turtledoves. Before Nebraska allowed them to be hunted, there were thousands of them in our communities.  Their beautiful cooing sound was the gentle way of waking up and greeting the sun each day.  As a boy, their singing was part of my morning devotions.  I do not know why but I have always associated their presence with Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  Perhaps there was one of those pious romantic 19th century paintings of Jesus in which the doves where about his feet.  The Holy Spirit association is easier for me because at Jesus' baptism, the Holy Spirit is said to have descended upon him like a dove.  There is the association of Noah's ark and the sending forth of the dove and it's return with the olive branch as a symbol of God's reconciliation and peace with humanity and the earth.  So it is that Spring and Summer are the seasons I associate with the quiet gentle peace of God's Spirit slowly at work in the world day to day bringing forth the evidences of the coming Kingdom of God on earth.

First Presbyterian shifts programming gears each year beginning with the Memorial Day weekend.  We begin to have one service.  Youth programming is around special events rather than weekly gathers.  Specialized education events happen throughout the Summer for children and adults.  Synod School and church camp occupy many people's schedules.  Summer recreations and vacation trips are used to refresh the body and the spirit as well as expand our experiences.  It is a pleasant pedestrian type season if you allow it to be.  If you do slow down enough, perhaps you will hear the singing of the doves and the voice of God's Spirit helping you to grow spiritually.  If you relax enough, you may even be able to hear the still small voice of God whispering new directions for you.

Spring and Summer are long periods of time the church calender has taken to calling "ordinary time" but the truth is, God uses just such ordinary times to accomplish his extraordinary Kingdom's greatest works.

If you visit First Presbyterian Church during this season you may be tempted to think nothing is happening around this big old beautiful place.  Don't be fooled.  If you hear the cooing of the turtledoves that regularly take up Summer residence around here, you may be surprized that this is the gentle nudging of the Spirit at work in you.  May all the blessings of this growing season be yours.