From the Pastor’s Heart

At the memorial service for Bonnee Hoy, a composer who died in the prime of her life, her friend told a story of a mocking bird who would come to Bonnee’s window regularly and sing.

Bonnee would stand by her bedroom window and listen to the mocking bird. Then she decided to whistle back to the bird. She whistled the first four notes of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. The mockingbird quickly repeated the notes and sang them back. Then the bird left and did not return for a time; but toward the end of Bonnee’s life, the bird returned and among other songs, the bird sang the first four notes of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. Because of Bonnee Hoy, there is a mockingbird that sings these familiar notes.

Music and dance are ways we celebrate life. Whether or not we can sing or dance is not the point. The word “music” refers to all the grace and joy that is expressed in our interactions with one another. People inspire us and bring out the joy, the music, that is in us.

For nine years my family and I have been the recipients of the song and joy of the people of Sewickley United Methodist Church. Like the mockingbird, we will remember all the notes of grace that touched our lives and keep us singing songs of gratitude.

The music will go on, but like all good music, there will be a change of key. Changes in life are like key changes in music, the music continues, but in a different key that gives new color to the music. Your new pastor, Russell Shuluga, will begin in July, and he will offer his music in his key. He and his family will then be the recipients of the music, the gracious life, of this congregation and all will be blessed, just as we have been blessed.

Thank you very much.

In grace, peace, and love,
Barry L. Lewis