Dear Christ Church Family,
If you read the eCommunicator this week, you have seen that there are many exciting things happening on campus. With the music ministry transitioning to the main campus and youth and family ministry taking up residence in Claire’s Cottage, it is safe to say that the joy of new spaces is just barely visible on the other side of the chaos of getting there. 
Small changes can feel disconcerting, big ones can completely turn us on our heads. Change can be lonely, overwhelming, and make us feel adrift. And yet there is the reassurance of knowing that we have our faith to anchor us and our friends and family to help row. In this past week Sandy, the assistant to our Rector, saved me from building frustration around an inability to print anything from my computer by graciously accepting and executing countless emails filled with every single thing I needed to produce. I don’t know where I would have been without her kindness. John and Jean Sturges and Daniel, our Sexton, helped Geoff move his desk and music to his freshly painted office. Loving hands assembled furniture, cleaned, and helped to air out the paint fumes! Gifts of kindness and community are the best parts of being a part of church.
The quiet summer that was envisioned is filled with the joyful chaos of new things.
Joy and chaos are two words that immediately take me back to Camp Create. Those two weeks spent with the children of Christ Church and St. Luke’s were certainly joyful… and chaotic! We made art, learned to drum, sang, heard stories, played on the playground, overcame obstacles, and created our own skits about God giving us strength. The ability to not just survive but thrive in chaos is something that comes innately to children.

That is my prayer for this messy, beautiful season of joy and chaos.
May our faith guide us and our friends walk beside us.
May we remember that it is okay to take a deep breath and pause.
Remind us to eat our vegetables and drink our water and comfort us with the knowledge that even when we cannot see the whole picture, that God’s gentle and loving goodness is present in everything we do, even in the chaos.
For the Human Family

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us
through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole
human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which
infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us;
unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and
confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in
your good time, all nations and races may serve you in
harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen. –The Book of Common Prayer

Charlette Preslar
Youth and Family Minister, Christ Church Coronado
Christ Episcopal Church
1114 Ninth Street, Coronado, CA 92118
christchurchcoronado.org