Dear Edgeboro Family & Friends,

Even though I’ve been doing newsletter articles for a while now, it still doesn’t come naturally to me. It takes me a little while to think about how I’m going to fill a blank page with no writing prompt and a bunch of different directions I could go. So for this month, I want to say a word of thanks, send some thoughts and prayers, and tell you about a thing I learned about in the last month.

So first – the thanks. Lent, Holy Week, and Easter are in the rear view mirror. I am humbled each year by the amount of people it takes to do what we do during those seasons. Thank you for contributing your gifts. Thank you for helping to celebrate our confirmands and the season. Thank you for your fellowship. (Liturgical Note: Easter Sunday is over, but the Easter season lasts until June 4^th. So until then, “The Lord Is Risen!”)

Second – the thoughts and prayers. The end of semesters and school years is upon us. Prayers for all students as they wrap up another school year. Prayers and gratitude for all teachers, faculty, and staff for all the knowledge and care you offered throughout the year. Prayers for all graduates, that they may enjoy the celebrations and be blessed during their transitions.

Third – the thing I learned this month. In my leadership cohort, we looked at the rules of improv. On the surface, improv just looks like a bunch of funny people just making up funny things to say, but skilled improv actors adhere to these rules of improv to make the most of their acting. There are different versions of these rules out there, but they all amount to roughly the same thing. Here are the rules of improv according to Tina Fey with my summaries of them:

(1) Agree – You agree to follow and respect what your improv partner has created.

(2) Yes, And – Do rule #1, and then add something of your own to it.

(3) Make Statements – In other words, don’t ask questions because this puts your partner on the spot too much and makes them feel like they have to come up with everything themselves.

(4) There Are No Mistakes – Mistakes are opportunities and happy accidents.

Now clearly, these rules aren’t meant to be applied all the time in life. We are going to disagree with others, say “No,” ask questions, and deal with the consequences of mistakes. But they should get us thinking about how we interact with others. Notice how the rules of improv are not about you, rather they’re all about creating an environment to care for someone else and their ideas, strengths, confidence, and success. A community full of impov people sounds like it would be an awesome place where all are included and ideas thrive. Ideally sounds like church, right? And what if we said, “Yes, And” to God in our prayers? I hope you see the faith connections to these rules as much as I do!

(For what it’s worth, while any time could be the right time to try out a new idea, the time we’re entering right now, Easter until Sunday School Rally Day (Sept.), is a perfect time in the rhythm of the church year to start talking about new ministry ideas. If new ideas bubble up, let’s keep the rules of improv in mind!)

So there they are – my gratitude, my thoughts and prayers, and my recent learnings. Thanks for reading and blessings on your month!

Improvising with You,
Pastor Dan