The church season after the 50 days of Eastertide and Pentecost Day celebrations is half of the year, yet it has no “official” name. It is called “Time after Pentecost” or “Ordinary Time” because of the numbering (ordinals) of the Sundays. It includes the distinct natural seasons of summer and fall, which have different themes emphasized. The primary color is green. This highlights the first part of Ordinary Time with themes of growth and celebration in community, and the renewal of faith and discipleship in the ministry and teaching of Jesus. On Sunday, June 15, we join in giving thanks to God as we welcome the sixth pastor of First English Lutheran Church.
On June 17, 2015, nine beloved were murdered by a self-professed white supremacist while they were gathered for Bible study and prayer at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church (often referred to as Mother Emanuel) in Charleston, South Carolina. We also remember Juneteenth (June 19), the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.