Goodness Weekly 7.22.2024
"Change is inevitable. Growth is optional."
—John Maxwell
What’s Good
Some of you may have seen two familiar faces in your mailbox this weekend. Scene In SA posted a wonderful interview and review of Scott’s Pizza in this quarter’s issue. We are so proud to have Scott and his team as a part of the Collective, and can’t wait to see them continue to grow next to the community table in Charis Park.
This Week
Storytime Tuesdays, 9:30
Lunchtime Yoga Flow with NYX Wellness, Mon-Fri at 12pm, upstairs in Room 200
For weekly hours of One Another Coffee, Scott’s Pizza, and NYX Yoga, please feel free to check our calendar and follow us on Instagram for any updates.
A Choice Season
Message From Mae Czarnecki, Communications Coordinator
We’re halfway through summer–theoretically. Seasoned Texans will tell you that the oven has merely been pre-heated, and the real baking won’t get started until mid-August. One of my favorite former neighbors, Jena, now lives in Maine. I made popsicles every single summer day for our combined seven little people, and she provided me with a nuanced perspective that was vital to my hardened and stubborn young twenty-something self. We survived two summers supporting each other on the porch in this way.
A few weeks ago, a well spoken student, Ayla, gave a beautiful message during worship led by campers at Sunset Ridge Church’s Sunset Camp. She read:
“In dance school, a teacher asked if I wanted to join a class I hadn’t signed up for yet. So I joined with other girls who had signed up. I found out that another girl and [I] had a lot in common. We spent a lot of time together. We became good friends. But one day we found out she was moving away. When she moved, I felt like life was unfair because she was my best friend. I didn’t want to lose her. And sometimes I’m still so sad that she left. But when I think about that, I always remember to think on the positive side. She still comes to San Antonio for her birthday parties, and I still get to see her. And we’ll never stop being friends.”
Read the full message here on Views From the Ridge.
I immediately thought of this friend that had come in and out of my life. A season with an undetermined length, presumably secured with each lease renewal. Jess wrote beautifully last week about the reliability of change. I’m sure we all have very early memories of wanting to hold on to people, places, and things that bring us joy, comfort, and peace, fearful that the change of their absence will lead to discomfort.
If you enter the Sunset Ridge Collective campus at the moment, you will see a suburban oasis that is Charis Park nearly complete. An emerald jewel atop this ridge that many of you call home. But the work–the change–that was/is necessary to bring this beauty to fruition, may never be fully understood by anyone who didn’t endure it. Many in this community sacrificed the comfort they knew to advocate for this kind of growth. Many seasons have passed as ideas were written, plans were drawn, and sod was laid. The changes have been hard for many, but the growth will benefit even more.
As we continue summer, we may be facing other kinds of new seasons. The church congregation will be saying goodbye to the Stirmans as they move back to Abilene to be closer to family. Sprouts School will welcome new babies and children at the start of the school year. Change is waiting for us all–how beautiful is it that we can decide if we grow with it?
Back to School with Camelot Elementary
Our friends over at Camelot Elementary are in need of some help as the school year begins. As you know, we partner with Camelot to provide Snack Paks for children who struggle with food insecurity, affordable Christmas gifts for Camelot families, teacher appreciation, and more throughout the school year. Camelot’s Family Specialist Landy has asked for the following help:
“Next year, the community partner that has traditionally provided us with brand-new uniforms will now only be able to supply polos. As a result, we are seeking additional support to meet our needs. The Amazon wish list has only uniforms listed, and the Target wish list has uniforms and school supplies listed. We gratefully welcome and appreciate any contributions, even if they are not listed on the wish lists.
Thank you so much for all your support and everything you do for our school.”
Inhale:
When faced with change
Exhale:
May I chose growth
