Dear Rose Park,
Growing up I played three sports throughout the year. I laced up my cleats for the soccer team in the fall, put on my goggles for the swim team in the winter, and broke in my catchers-mitt for the baseball team in the spring. I was most gifted for baseball, less gifted for swimming, and even less gifted for soccer. As an athlete on multiple team sports you become accustom to hearing the language of coaches. One of those commonly used phrases is “eyes on me.”
Dear Rose Park,
Simon started swim lessons this past week. From 5:30pm - 6:00pm Monday through Thursday for two weeks, Simon and I drive to the Holland Aquatic Center. It’s only been three days and he’s already having the time of his life; he loves to jump off the edge into the instructors arms, he loves to blow bubbles, and he loves to kick and splash.
Dear Rose Park,
Did you know that we have a church library? Did you know that it’s tucked away in the basement? Do you know we have a basement? In any case, we have a library worth of Christian resources. Sure, some of those resources are a bit out of date; I found a lot of curriculum-based resources dated in the mid-60’s and to be honest I think we still have some VHS tapes. Regardless, we have an entire room filled with the words and wisdom of fellow Christians. Some of those voices are from decades, even centuries ago and others are still alive today.
Dear Rose Park,
This letter comes from the desk of our beloved elder Joe DeVette…
Do you feel like God was absent from your life, and maybe the whole world, last year? The joy of Christmas is over (hopefully you did find the joy) and the new year has begun. And, if you’re like me, you’re looking forward not only to a new year, but a better year as well. I can’t imagine that 2020 was a banner year for any of us (throughout the whole world). Where was God?
Dear Rose Park,
This letter comes from our beloved elder, Marife Vander Schuur…
April 2020, I was laid off from a career that I thought defined who I am. Many of you felt the impact of 2020. For others, that meant a job loss, illness, or even a death in the family. There was a tumultuous weight of uncertainty in a world where we want a guarantee that our tomorrow is secure.
Dear Rose Park,
During this Holiday season, many families have various traditions. Some of these traditions may have been passed down from generation to generation; perhaps it’s singing “Silent Night” with your closest family members on Christmas Eve, sitting in front of the fireplace and hearing “‘Twas The Night Before Christmas”, or maybe even watching “Home Alone” or “Christmas Vacation” and laughing at all the scenes you’ve already watched a dozen times. In any case, the rhythm of traditions can be very meaningful to individuals and families during this Advent season.
Dear Rose Park,
Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singly o’re the plains, and the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strain. Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Above is the first verse and refrain from “Angels We Have Heard on High.” It’s one of the most famous songs during the Christmas season. Casting Crowns, Josh Groban, The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, and even Sarah McLachlan have their own versions of the beloved hymn (my personal favorite is Andrea Bocelli). Regardless of the version, it is a beautiful hymn that perfectly encapsulates the glory of Christmas while also inviting us to imagine the wonder and excitement of Christ’s birth.
Dear Rose Park,
This past year has caused a lot of difficulty; it’s been filled with grief, pain, and even fear. We’ve lost loved ones without being able to say goodbye. We’ve missed opportunities we’ll never get back. However, this year has also forced us to ask difficult and probing questions like: why is this happening? Where do we go from here? What does this all mean? What’s on the other side of this? And finally, who am I? This last question is what interests me most.
