Shannon's Corner

  New Year’s Celebration has been celebrated differently throughout the years of my life. One such celebration was making a dummy out of old clothes with firecrackers stuffed in the clothes and at midnight to be thrown into the fire. It signified letting go of the old (the clothes) and celebrating the new (firecrackers).    There is rejoicing and celebration that happens in the midst of our liminal space and waiting. It is vital to take time to celebrate the small, big, and everything in between as we wait because of the joy and hope it brings even in the disappointment, pain, and hard of waiting. What does the Lord want to birth in you through Christ to carry on into the new year?   What are the things you want to celebrate from 2024? What do you need to release or let go of from 2024? 

    SHANNON’S CORNER Rejoice, rejoice Emmanuel has come! A reflection through the lens of advent. HOPE… It is always darkest before the dawn.  Ministry Workers I have worked with have shared parts of their stories in their darkest valleys, where things seemed hopeless and powerless and where they were stuck and drowning.  A place where they could not breathe.  Emmanuel, God with us, met them in those dark places and His light breathed hope and life into the darkness. PEACE… “ Thanks for being Spirit led and for really helping me process through some tough stuff!” – a ministry worker shared as she finished her debrief and care sessions. “Wow…now looking at my timeline, no wonder I feel this heavy weight on my shoulders.” – a ministry worker shared during a debrief.   “I didn’t realize how much loss has accumulated and the impact it’s had on me.” – a ministry worker shared in a care session. JOY… Celebrating Christmas with the students of TCK C...

  The beauty of living in the already but not yet creates a space for the practice of waiting. Waiting is hard. Our sense of control is diminished or lost and our expectations of how and when crumbles. It fuels impatience, strengthens impulses, and heightens our desire to just do something. The practice of waiting creates and gives space to acknowledge, grieve, and release the things in our lives that need to die such as unmet expectations and hopes, so that we can make room for new growth and new life. We cannot do this on our own. The invitation is to wait with the Lord. He is the one who tends the restoration process.  How are you celebrating this season of waiting?

  When my older sibling bought his 10-speed bike was the day I desired and longed for my very own 10-speed bike. My mom told me that if I wanted a 10-speed bike that I would have to safe up my money from babysitting and mowing lawns to pay for it. Let’s just say this was not any easy task for me to save my hard-earned money as there were so many other things that presented themselves to me to buy. It took me close to two years before I had enough money to buy my very own 10-speed bike. It then took even more time to go to the same bike store where my sibling got his bike, and the wait was excruciatingly painful as my money was burning a hole in my pocket just sitting there. Finally, the day came when my mom told me we would go and purchase my 10-speed bike. I could hardly contain my excitement and in the end, I had a brand new pink colored 10-speed bike. The longing was fulfilled, and the waiting was over.   Seasons are periods of waiting and longing. Some seasons are longer t...

  One of the things I look forward to is the Season of Advent. My family would gather in the evenings to light the advent candle, read a passage of Scripture, read the small devotional, pray, sing Christmas hymns, and blow out the candle. Maybe what capture me the most was the candles flickering in the dark or singing acapella together as a family or the sense of togetherness and being connected in the quiet evenings. All in all, the anticipation of Christmas Day as we lit the Christ candle and celebrated the birth of Jesus. The waiting was hard, sometimes seemed forever but it was so worth the wait.  We enter this liminal space in advent. It's a season of waiting and anticipation. The already and not yet. We can experience this liminal space in a variety of ways depending on our situation and circumstances. Some may be excited and anticipating all things Christmas to experience. Others may be very sad and grieving loved ones. Still others may be anxious for all the upcoming s...

  The holiday season is a mirror of life’s transitions, reflecting moments of joy, growth, and even loss. As new family members join, children grow up, or loved ones are no longer present, cherished traditions may shift in unexpected ways. While these changes can feel bittersweet, they also open the door to new possibilities.   Change is an inevitable part of life, and the holidays offer a unique chance to honor the past while embracing the future. By celebrating the moments, you can create now, the season can become a bridge between treasured memories and new beginnings. What is your holiday transition story?

  Transition is much like a river—constantly flowing, ever-changing, and shaped by its surroundings. Some rivers, like the Nile or the Amazon, are vast, long, and deep, symbolizing transitions that are slow and significant, shaping the landscape of our lives over time. Others are turbulent and risky, marked by rapids and sharp turns that demand courage and resilience.   A river after a storm, murky and swollen, mirrors transition that feel overwhelming and unclear. On the other hand, a dry riverbed waiting for rain speaks of a season of stagnation, with the promise of renewal and vitality just around the corner.   When we reflect on our own river of transition, vivid images may emerge.   Reflection of Rivers:   1. What image best describes your river of transition?  2. What emotions are evoked by this image?  3. What thoughts and memories come to mind?  4. Where are you located in the image?  5. Who is with you, or are you alone?  Throug...

  SHANNON’S CORNER Gratitude…Happy Thanksgiving! In the last newsletter I shared that God turns pebbles into tidal waves so have I got a story for you. I was asked to read the history of Cherry Run Camp and a piece of its history spoke loudly to me as it has impacted my family for eternity.  Around 1934 the pastor of the Rimersburg Methodist Church, Wilson R. Ross known as “Daddy Ross,” and the Men’s Bible Class took an interest in revitalizing Cherry Run Camp as it had fallen into great disrepair and deep into debt.  Fifty some years later, my dad was the pastor of Rimersburg Methodist Church, and it was at Cherry Run Camp in the 60’s where he came to know Jesus as his Savior.  The story of Cherry Run Camp is one of God’s Spirit moving across generations to form and to sustain a place which has become a spiritual home for many.  I am so, so grateful for God turning this pebble in the 1930’s into a tidal wave for eternity. A global worker from across the ocean i...