Dear Glen Mar Friends,

Welcome to the spring edition of the Messenger! Did you know that Opening Day for Major League Baseball is March 28 this year — and Easter is on March 31? For me baseball, spring, and Easter are connected. The turning of the seasons to spring — new life, flowers, and that bright green of grass in ballparks – fills me with joy and hope. The sweet sound of a fast ball hitting a glove, the sweet ballet of the 6-4-3 double play and grown men playing a game of childhood – it’s all so wonderful. Also, I like hot dogs and time to talk to Eric (between pitches of course) and the promise that everyone is in first place on Opening Day. There’s a sense that anything is possible on Opening Day.

On Easter morning, the world changed—the winter of empire and crucifixion, sin, and death had its day and there was a new dawning of hope for all creation. A new beginning, a new life. The joy in the heart of those who found the tomb empty — the sound of women running from the tomb shouting “I have seen the Lord…” A tomb with the stone rolled away — the ultimate “opening day.”

This spring, we have so much planned here at Glen Mar so that we can “Praise God, Grow Disciples (and Grow As Disciples too!) and Serve the World.” Come join us! And if there is a way that we might serve you better, I hope you will reach out to me!

See you in church,

Pastor Mandy