By now you know how much I value the history of our area. This edition's photo is of a prominent lighthouse in Virginia Beach taken from atop the lighthouse located next to it. The Cape Henry Lighthouse pictured was built in the 1800's to replace Old Cape Henry Light which was built in the 1700's. The Old Light was struck by lightening and there were fears of foundation-al cracks as a result. The main issue was that a reliable light needed to be seen at Cape Henry.

We all know how busy the port of Hampton Roads is. Combine our marine cargo and coaling terminals with the world's largest naval base, and you have a lot of ships that need to know where the channel begins. Before cell phones, apps, and electronic gadgets, the one sure way of knowing you were at Cape Henry was this light-house.

The lights of Cape Henry have shined in times of peace and times of war. They shine on beautiful sunny days, and they shine when the nor'easters and hurricanes come our way. What-ever the situation they shine. And for sailors who live here, they represent one thing…HOME. Many a sailor heading out on deployment gazed upon the lights as the last familiar sight of the shore-line. And after months at sea, the sight of the lights, whether in daytime or night mean only one thing, safe water and home.

I've been thinking about the current state of our world, and even the unsettled state of our denomination following General and Annual Conference. Often I am left with feeling that the world and its problems are a mighty big place and I feel very small. And then I think of these light-houses.

Granted up close they are big, but out at sea, at night, Cape Henry is just a dot of light amongst other dots of light on the coastline. What makes it different? Each light, each buoy has a characteristic. A pattern or sequence unique to the particular light. Cape Henry shines at intervals of 20 seconds. In the daytime Cape Henry has a unique black and white scheme, very different from say Cape Hatteras with its barber pole de-sign.

Bottom line is you know Cape Henry when you see it, and you know you are home when you see it. And in our crazy world, we all seek a safe place to be. And for me, and hopefully you who are reading this, our safe place is Chestnut Memo-rial. Throughout the upheavals in our culture and our world, Chestnut has remained a constant Christian community offering love and grace. When our denomination seems to be changing directions, Chestnut Memorial remains a constant source of community and only seeks to offer Christ.

I do not see that changing. Because as pas-tor, I believe we have become a steady church in a world of change. Above all else, as Jesus said in Matthew's Gospel, "we are the light unto the world. We were not meant to be placed under a bowl, but rather placed on a stand that the whole house may see." To me that is what we are striving for. That's what we are called to do. To not be swayed by cultural trends, media rumors, or political division. Our purpose, like Cape Henry Lighthouse is to shine. Shine in good weather, and shine especially in the storm.

I think we are on the right path, but it takes work to make sure we are shining. So this summer, tend to your light as you tend to your MEDSS. Take time to rest and renew. Take time to study, meditate or journal. PRAY. And keep shining!