I was so pleased to open the AJC on Tuesday and learn from the headlines that the U.S. President is ordering his administration to assist in the transition to the next presidential administration. In matters of public health, national security, economy and essential government services, I think all of America had a sigh of relief in learning that news. It is good for the national interest that proper attention and support will be made to this important transition in our democracy’s leadership.
I think about my sister running high school track. She ran the 440 relay and was the second leg of passing that baton. When the baton was passed seamlessly, they did well. When it dropped, not so well. Every football team knows the same! From center to quarterback to running back or receiver, it’s vital not to drop or fumble the ball but attend to the important transitions when possession is most vulnerable. Everyone knows that no number one team has ever lead the league in fumbles or interceptions!
The church pays attention to transitions, too, because our lives of faith have important transitions. We just elected new officers, trained them and in January will install them to serve. Our job now is to get them ready to be effective in their new role of responsibility and leadership between now and then. This Sunday we’ll celebrate a baptism…the sacrament which follows birth and commences the life of faith. From baptism to confirmation, there will be nurture, growth, love and learning as little Whit Attaway comes to claim the faith of his parents and grandparents for himself! And this Sunday we also launch into another transition….the season of Advent, the beginning of a new church year, which will lead us to Christmas. As wisdom knows, there is a time for all things.
As seasons change, so do our homes and wardrobes, our vehicles and clocks all change. You don’t want to turn on your heater on a cold November day only to find with surprise that it doesn’t work. NOW is the time to ready your scarves, winter coats and warm hats. Don’t wait for the first snow before finding your boats and snow shovel (and putting your flip flops and pool floats in storage.)
Tomorrow launches the holiday season with Thanksgiving. This is another major transition in the year. And the holiday season will end with a new year, 2021! You’ll have to listen to Beverly’s sermon on Sunday to hear more about that! Suffice it to say… it’s good news.
