In August of 1969, Sly and the Family Stone released “Hot Fun in the Summertime,” one of my favorites. It was #247 on the Rolling Stones’ 500 Greatest Hits. The song is about the coming and going of summer and the random things we do to enjoy the time. It’s laid back and whimsical, different. Some people read hidden messages in the lyrics. Some people take the words for what they read. Some people (like me) don’t care and just enjoy the sound. Ironically, that’s how people in many faith traditions read the Bible: implied, verbatim, living it. The rhythm reminds me of sitting back with a cold, sweating glass of iced tea or water, doing nothing while thinking about something. Some of the lyrics say, “First of the Fall and then she goes back. Bye, bye, bye, bye there. Them summer days, those summer days.” As much as we enjoy summer, we also recognize it will end. If you prefer something more upbeat, Will Smith’s song “Summertime” by DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince was released in 1991. He sings, “Summer, Summer, Summertime, time to sit back and unwind.” The lyrics share days of going from one place to another sampling the different aspects of life. Whichever song you choose, the lyrics remind us of the importance of coming together.
August is the time we start to wind down our summer and look toward the things of fall. I suggest we don’t rush our time; enjoy the remaining days and just chill. No conspiracy theory, no hidden agenda, no covert operations, and no diverting attention with incendiary words tweeted in the middle of the night. Just have fun! There’s a slogan that says, “See Something, Say Something.” I “see” an opportunity to get together. I “say” close off the street and have a block party. Get to know the people around you. If your neighborhood is diverse, you can travel the world from the comfort of your lawn chair. Come together to sample the food, music, dialect. It doesn’t matter; just come together. One nation under God, indivisible.
Our congregation blocks off a portion of time every week to get together. We call it Sunday Worship. One church, many cultures, engaging our community. If you want to get together with people in the morning, and enjoy your afternoon doing something or nothing, join us. Our summer worship is 9:45 am; that leaves plenty of time to do additional things. You can also find us on our webpage www.eumcbeltsville.com or Facebook www.facebook.com/groups/EUMCBeltsville/. Until next time, I will leave you with this:
Strong foundations can be built when we come together
Unity comes when we acknowledge that we are different
Multiculturism can built neighborhoods where all can thrive
Making it possible for liberty and justice for all
Everyone is created equal in the eyes of the Creator
Relax, Relate, Rebuild, Renew, and Reinvigorate our communities with foundations of love