VIENNA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | AUGUST 2022
THE MONTHLY MESSENGER
FROM HOPE'S HEART... A big decision was made at the Lee House this week. We’re getting a new puppy! Back in April, our beloved 10 year-old Black Lab, Julia, passed away from cancer and the whole family was devastated. The thought of a new puppy seemed overwhelming at that time, not just because of the grief of the loss but the thought of how much energy and effort has to go into a new puppy. Julia’s passing, while very much a part of life, still required some adjustment on our part. As we arrived at the place just beyond our grief, a discussion ensued among the family as to the best way to move forward. There was general agreement that we would get another dog, as opposed to a cat or a snake or a hamster. But, there was some contention as to what kind. Peter has long advocated for a Corgi and has received zero support from the rest of the family. Sung was raised with Pomeranians. I was raised with Black Labs. Anna is neutral in all this because…college. And Maria, the baby of the family and the one who will most likely be the caretaker and playmate of the dog, just wanted something small enough to snuggle with and hold. So, at the end of August, we are adopting a 2-month old, 4lb, cavapoo (a mix of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle - see page 16)! We are all very excited! We are also very nervous, a little bit anxious, and have some anticipatory concerns around what it’s going to be like for there to be a “baby” in our house again. We know that the long-run is going to be awesome, but we definitely have some concerns about the short-term. This is the same place we find our church family this month. In July we shared our new mission statement: A Caring Fellowship Bringing Christ Into Our Diverse Community Through Discipleship And Service. What is so captivating about this new mission is the desire of the church to get out beyond ourselves and to cultivate active lives of faith that exist in the community all throughout the week, not just on Sunday mornings. It is eternally-focused and relationshiporiented!
But, it also different from who VPC has historically been. We’ve been a “Black Lab” church and that has served us well, been a significant part of who we are, and has blessed us for many years. We do not have to deny any of that love or the fond memories we share. Of course, we didn’t just jump in to this new mission either. We went through a period of grieving and transition. And then we went through a time of researching our next steps. Every single person in the church family was invited to participate and give their input. And now, as the Lees are getting a puppy, VPC is getting a new mission! It is to be expected that this is going to be different. Our precious Julia weighed 75lbs. Our new puppy will max out at 10lbs in adulthood. Julia came to us fully trained. The new puppy is our responsibility to raise up. It’s going to be work --joyful work --- but work, nonetheless. Julia’s harness will not fit the new puppy. Julia’s crate is far too big. Julia’s food is not suitable for tiny dogs. And Julia’s toys weigh more than the puppy will. Likewise, we’re going to have adjust here at VPC to this new mission. What worked for us in the last season might not be the best for us going forward, no matter how well it served us in the past. But, God’s new thing IS on the way and we need to get ourselves prepared. Please join me, the Session, and our Transformation Teams on August 21 at 10:15 am as we will share with the entire church family the mission that God is calling us to in the years ahead. I hope that if you are brandnew to VPC or have been a lifelong member that you will be there and be a part of this new beginning for our congregation! August is a month to look forward to with great expectations, even as we learn to let go with love. In the midst of such change, one thing remains --- God, who has begun a great work within us, will see us through to the day of completion! We also pray that He will see the Lees through the coming days of puppy training! In the Grip of Grace, Pastor Hope hope.lee@viennapres.org