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From Intern Beth…

Let me start this month by taking some time to say thank you to a few people in the congregation. First, let me thank St. Paul as a whole for your warm welcome as your new intern this year. I look forward to seeing what this next year holds for both of us.  Allow me to take a few moments to extend a thank you to a few families in the congregation. First, a huge thank you to Carol and Floyd Browning and family for welcoming me onto your property and caring for me as I begin getting settled into life here in Indiana. A special thank you to Mandy, Chris, and Erin Otte for taking me to the Jackson County Fair. Thank you to Larry Guinn, Matt and Trish Tangman, Linda and Gib Claycamp, Everett Newkirk, Hannah Young and Michelle Wood, and Chris, Mandy, and Erin Otte for assisting me in unpacking my moving pods. Thank you to Tim and Kathy England for allowing me to borrow their family table for the year. Thank you to Pastor Steve and Michelle Wood for taking me to the Columbus farmer’s market. You have all been so welcoming, and I already feel so incredibly supported by this community, this year together is off to a great start!

In the short time that I have been in Seymour, I have already been immersed in so many Indiana traditions. Jumping right in shortly after I arrived, Erin, Chris, and Mandy took me to the Jackon County Fair. Attending the fair gave me the opportunity to meet some of you, learn about the history of Jackson County, discover some mid-western traditions, and begin integrating myself into life and community.

In the Old Testament (Leviticus 23) we read about a variety of different festivals that each have their own purpose. Some of the festivals include the Festival of Passover, where an offering is provided to the Lord in celebration of the last Plague in Egypt. We also read about a festival of the First Fruits, which was a feast to thank and honor God for all that was provided. Another was the Feast of Trumpets, in which God’s people celebrate the command of rest.

While at the fair, I felt the work of the Spirit in all of these ways. The Otte family walked me through the various buildings at the fair talking to me about the county and fair history, explaining the 4-H projects, educating me on some of the farming equipment, and introducing me to elephant ears. The living history present and honored at the fair was a joyful celebration of the story of Jackson County. The displays and crafts told the current story of the area and honored all that Jackson County is able to accomplish for its people. The livestock showed me a glimpse into all the work that goes toward caring for animals while the food vendors represented the accomplishments of all they were able to produce to sustain themselves and the community. And while the fair is a lot of work for those who participate and tiresome for those who visit and going Friday night at the end of the week, I could feel the rest that everyone could picture following the fair; but I also left feeling refreshed and ready to jump into the community. I pray that as this year continues, I continue to experience God’s abundance, the Spirit’s rest, and the Lord’s celebrations in your community.