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Dear San Marco Church Family: As I write this week’s blog, I am about to leave town for our family vacation. I love the work I get to do in both of my jobs, yet I do find that time away is so important to make room for reflection and renewal. Please pray for our family for safe and healthy travel. While it is a real privilege to get some vacation time, all travel involves uncertainties and reminds me of the need to trust God’s presence in the journey. I will soon begin serving my third year as pastor of San Marco Church. The past two years have been so helpful to me in seeing how God changes lives and builds community slowly. I continue to get to know many of you, and the real joy of pastoral ministry, more than any other aspect, is learning how people’s life experiences have shaped and informed their faith. I truly love getting to know new people, and I am grateful that so many of you have shared your stories and struggles with honesty. San Marco Church really is a place where folks can be authentic and honest without fear of being ostracized or judged. As we move into my third year serving San Marco Church, I invite you to pray about how God wants us embrace the future. Pray about what specific steps we can take to serve the San Marco community. Pray about how we can foster deeper, more focused relationships among our members. You all are in for a treat the next two Sundays. This Sunday, June 21, is Father’s Day. Pastor Pat Turner-Sharpton, who served as pastor of First UMC St. Augustine for 17 years prior to his retirement, will preach a message based upon Ephesians 4:29-5:2. His message is entitled, “Be Kind.” God knows we need more kindness in today’s world! On June 28, Bryan Amerling will be continuing his preaching series on social justice. His message, based upon Proverbs 29:7, is entitled “The Trajectory of Justice: The Poor and Poverty.” Finally, as I recognize that today is the Juneteenth federal holiday, I am grateful that we have this day as a reminder of the struggles of enslaved people in our country. It was more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation before enslaved Texans learned of their freedom on June 19, 1865. Of course the journey toward racial justice and equality is still incomplete, but recognizing milestones is important. Thank you all for the ways you serve God through San Marco Church. May God bless you and your family this summer season! Steve Hart
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