July 2025

Traditions are a wonderful part of our lives. The Broadway song from Fiddler on the Roof reminds us that traditions keep us balanced and remind us of who we are. We like them because they tell us what to do and when to do it. The community in which we live often holds traditions, enacting them at just the right time. And in a world that changes rapidly, traditions bring us comfort and familiarity.

I like to look back and see how traditions started, especially in my community or my family. Often, they are practices started out of necessity. Why did Grandma always cut the end of the roast before she cooked it? Does that really make it taste better or cook up more tender? No! When we asked around, it was because her pan was too small, so she cut the roast just to make it fit. But we believed all kinds of other reasons belonged to this tradition, and we kept doing it without knowing why!

Traditions can come out of necessity, fun, or simply because we like it enough the first time, we do it to repeat it! Even in the song from the Fiddler on the Roof, the papa talks about “Tradition!” at the beginning of the song. He admits he doesn’t know the reason for each tradition, but if it’s a tradition, we do it!! No questions asked!

Each year, in the month of June, we embrace a time of TRANSITION. We could say it’s a tradition that we transition! It’s not simply a tradition to enter this season, but a key part of who we are as United Methodists. Pastors commit to what is called “itineracy” when we become pastors in the UMC. This means that we serve in our roles as leaders in the Conference with a willingness to move to where we are needed as assessed by the Bishop and Cabinet (the bishop, assistant to the bishop, DS’s, and executive staff) each year. Pastors are appointed each year by the Cabinet, either remaining at a local church or moving to another local church, extension ministry, or perhaps taking a sabbatical year.

I am extremely thankful to be reappointed to Spindale UMC for another year. This church has been a wellspring for my spiritual growth just as I am blessed to call you my friends, my family really.  It is my hope that we will keep all of my colleagues who are transitioning this year in our prayers as they create new traditions for themselves and the churches they will be serving. God is good!

1 Peter 4:8-10 tells us: “Above all, maintain constant love for one another; be hospitable to one another … Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.” May our love for everyone be evident in our actions of love!

Blessings and Peace!

Pastor Eric