Harbor United Methodist Church
55 First Parish Road, Scituate, MA 02066
Church office: 781.545.0818
Marshfield United
Methodist Church
185 Plain Street, Marshfield, MA 02050
Reverend Rick McKinley is also available by appointment
Volume 60 Issue 4
Dear friends:
Whenever I visit a large city, or even a large mall, inevitably I find myself standing in front of one of
those large maps that are placed strategically for those who find themselves lost. On those maps you will find a
little arrow and the words, “You are here.”
These maps are a good metaphor for the spiritual life. And just like when you arrive at a new map in a
new location in the city, and the arrow with the words “You are here” has also changed, so it is for our spiri-
tual life. The life with God is a journey. It’s a journey that includes incredible, mountain-top experiences. It’s a
journey that includes horrible experiences, deep in the dark valley moments. It’s a journey that includes other
people. And all along the way, the place where the “You are here” arrow points changes. We take steps. And
every step we take starts from wherever we are at any given moment. We can’t do anything else.
In our community, you are surrounded by people who at their own particular place in the journey of
faith. The place to which the arrow points on their spiritual journey is unlikely to be the same for where it
points in your life. You can’t make them be where you are, and vice versa.
Even so, it is still a shared journey. We make this journey together, connected as part of a larger body.
Each of us is learning for ourselves what it means to be on this life-changing, grace-filled relationship with
God and God’s people. For real change to occur, we must be able to trust the people around us. When Jesus
talks about the kingdom of God, he describes it as something that grows over time - a mustard seed that in time
grows into a large tree, a safe harbor for God’s creatures; seeds planted that in time God’s grace works to bring
fruit;