Dear Friends in Christ,

One of my favorite things about the summer is reading. Over the course of the year, a stack of books grows in my office. I add to the stack when I get recommendations from you, or when I come across a good book review in The Christian Century, or when an email from a former student hits my inbox saying, “Have you read this…?”

Every summer, even before Amy and I were married, we have spent some time in Duluth, Minnesota. Duluth lies at the western-most tip of Lake Superior. It is an active port—a place where wheat and iron ore still gets loaded on massive ships bound for all parts of the globe. Duluth was home to Amy’s grandparents, and their small, immaculate house is still owned by her family.

If you haven’t had the pleasure, I must tell you that Lake Superior is cold—even in July. A little breeze off the water and Duluth quickly earns its title: “The Air Conditioned City.”

Lake air, a large glass of iced tea, and a big stack of books; that, to me, is summer!

This summer, among other things, I will be rereading Marilynne Robinson’s book, Gilead. Ms. Robinson won the Pulitzer Prize for this novel, and I am very excited to announce that she will be on hand Sunday, October 31, 2010, Reformation Sunday, at FAPC for a special Adult Education event: “Calvin, Literature and the American Church.”

Throughout the fall, book groups at the church will be reading Gilead to prepare for Ms. Robinson’s visit. Here’s a little teaser, the first sentence of the book:

I told you last night that I might be gone sometime, and you said, Where, and I said, To be with the Good Lord, and you said, Why, and I said, Because I’m old, and you said, I don't think you’re old.

On Homecoming Sunday, there will be sign ups available for those who would like to participate in a book group.

Speaking of Homecoming, this Sunday, June 20, Fathers’ Day, is my last Sunday in the pulpit for the summer. This is also the last Friday email update until September. So, I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for a truly amazing program year.

In 2009-2010, the good ship FAPC sailed against the wind! You balanced our budget in difficult financial waters. You showed the hospitality of Jesus Christ in a city that the experts say has “moved beyond faith,” and we began to grow again. Outreach programs

staffed by you changed people’s lives. Your energies and nurturing ways made our family ministry programs overflow with children. You exhibited the grace of Jesus Christ to the world. Thank you!

May God bless you this summer, and may a cold lemonade and a hammock in the shade be somewhere in your very near future,

Scott
Rev. Dr. Scott Black Johnston
Senior Pastor Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church
Church: 212-247-0490
www.fapc.org
"Grace must find expression in life, otherwise it is not grace." --Karl Barth

If you would like to engage in conversation with Dr. Black Johnston and others about “Protestants and the Court” please visit our Senior Pastor’s blog at www.sharpaboutyourprayers.com This Senior Pastor's Update also available as a PDF file or you can join our mailinglist. Log on to our Member Profile Page or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with your request.