Dear Friends,

Within a day or two, the epistle will be finalized, and you'll have formal word from the Called Session. However, I want to give you an initial impression.

Saturday was a model for a grounded meeting for discernment. When I entered into worship this morning at my home meeting, I was surprised to find that yesterday's worship was still with me. And as I spoke to it in Meeting, I was surprised to find myself warm with enthusiasm. I have never been shy about allowing emotion in my ministry, but enthusiasm is not normal for me.

Of course, the covered session was shaped by the long history of people who have been laboring under the concern, and it was buttressed with scientific and political information, as well as practical plans already underway. However, when we turned to corporate discernment, we were rooted in worship. The sense that evolved in Meeting was seasoned, well informed, disciplined, mature, and sincere. We listened with every ear we had, to all the ways in which we are led.

That was one rightly ordered Meeting for Worship for Business!

I've despaired that we may have lost the knack. We have not!

And for those of us in Meeting for Worship and Ministry who minuted our support beforehand, I cheerfully and gratefully report the following -- There were plans for our minute to be read, but it was not (unless it occurred when I was out of the room, but I do not believe so). However, there was no need for it to be read. It was strongly appreciated by the planners, and it was not at all needed by those assembled in Session, who managed quite well to enter into worship, seek wisdom from the Divine and each other, and welcome the call with obedience and hope.

Thank you for your faithful support. This -- PYM's dedication to addressing climate change and PYM's renaissance in corporate discernment -- is not just starting, it's been going on for years, but it also is far from over. What we're launching is a new stage, and the launch is thrilling.

--Mario