Summer 2025 - Rest. Writing. Recovery.

Hello Dear Ones, Here we are, on the doorsteps of Summer 2025. Most, if not all of you, are already aware that I will be taking a three-month sabbatical, that includes my vacation time, in July, August, and September, returning on October 1st. Please understand that during this three-month period I will not be available. However, we have some great Deacons: Karen Rousseau, Russell James, Janina Asselin, Lacey Capella, Chase and Keith Lassonde, and Donald Yarletts, available if you need to talk or pray. The Reverend Barbara Jean of the Somerset Baptist church will also try to be available if needed. During my absence, you will be blessed to meet and hear another UCC pastor, the Rev. Susan Kains. She will be preaching and offering the sacrament of Communion on the 1st Sunday each month during the time I am away. Many have asked where I am going or what am I doing? The thing is I am not going away; I am simply taking some much-needed rest time with God. During which, I hope to start, if not complete, a handbook or book based on my mother’s death, subarachnoid brain hemorrhage, subsequent stoke, and all the repercussions upon my physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychological well-being. During recovery from two traumatic brain events, I found little to no resources available to help. If I had died or became disabled somehow there are a plethora. So, I would like to develop a resource for other survivors to include holy moments and help others to thrive after such types of traumas. The goal is that this book will become a resource for individuals, families, and churches. Another part of sabbatical time is for some self-healing and hopefully a solution to reduce the physical pain I carry with me every day. The process of trying a spinal cord stimulator being implanted is likely during this time. This summer should be a wonderful space for the church to take time for some self-searching, reflection, and growth, of its own. When I return in the Fall, prayerfully the church leadership can answer what it hopes to see happening here over the next few years and maybe some ideas on how to achieve this goals? May this summer bring us all, reflection, peace, light, love, hope, rest and healing, and may we come together refreshed in the spirit, in the name of our Lord Jesus. Amen. Peace, Pastor Cheryl Rieder