Pastor's Note
A word from Reverend, Mark Buenafe, Senior Pastor

One of the extra blessings of ministry has been active involvement in the Mariposa community through the Rotary Club of Mariposa-Yosemite. This included giving a talk when it was my turn to find a speaker. Instead of finding someone else, I talked about "So Little Time, So Much Stuff." Dealing with Time and Stuff are so relevant and ‘timely' as Norms and me (and Mahal) are working on moving with the time we have before June 30. Instead of giving a narrative on what I spoke to the Club, I will share with you a bullet point list. May these personal experience insights be helpful to you.

Dealing with time & stuff are interrelated in 3 areas:
1) Our Perception – based on value with appreciation and gratitude. 
2) Our Goals – the "Why?" 
3) Our Stewardship – what we have been entrusted with to care for.

First, dealing with Time. I have only a few weeks to live…in Mariposa. I am reminded of the song "Turn, Turn, Turn" based on Ecclesiastes 3: "To everything, turn, turn, turn, There is a season, turn, turn, turn And a time to every purpose under heaven." With regards to perception, there are two types of time: Chronos, the scheduling, deadline time; and Kairos (which I talk a lot about), breathless moments that can either be happy or sad. It is taking time to savor the present. The word in Filipino/Tagalog is Agap. In Latin, we know this as Carpe Diem, "Seize the Moment." In life, there is a constant tension to balance both. Some personal insights of time management/stewardship like "failing to plan is planning to fail," "delayed, not denied," the tyranny of the ought's/regrets from the past or the "if only's" into the future.

As for dealing with Stuff: Having to move is forcing us to deal with stuff. It is clarifying what is important. Although not yet retired, I donated books in the yearly retired pastor's pile at our large gatherings. Helpful sorting out strategies are: "Will I ever or never use it?" The "one touch" guideline of putting the thing where it belongs the first time. Asking yourself if it brings personal joy (Marie Kondo). Then start clearing things before you die so that survivors won't have to deal with as much even in their grief. Is it worth the time?

So, for now, ministry does and will continue. This means being blessed by enjoying the clockwork routine of Sunday worship experiences and the regularly scheduled functions and meetings of the church while also being creative by improving what is while trying/reviving new things. Included with this for me are the intentional expressions of gratitude for the times and ministry together; savoring them with you as we make more Kairos moments.  We can do this courageously and confidently because God is always with us.  Let us fervently pray for God's leading in both what to do and who to be as God's Church. Rejoice, be grateful, continue to give kindness, share God's Love and Hope. We go the distance with God always with us.

~ By God's grace, 
Pastor Mark