I remember when I visited Suntree UMC for the first time and realized that I would be working with Kennedy Space Center technicians, engineers, and other individuals who had worked on the Apollo launches to the moon. I was overwhelmed by the intelligence, patriotism, and (frankly) celebrity of the group who had worked alongside astronauts to complete such important exploration. My first few weeks, I joked with my family that I was “literally preaching to rocket scientists,” and brilliant engineers who challenged my thinking and my way of perceiving the world. This work didn’t stop with Apollo, though. So many in our congregation are still very involved in the space industry here in Brevard County. Members of our congregation work for SpaceX, Boeing, and NASA, all continuing to innovate as we launch into space.
As we began preparing this map, someone on our team suggested we use a launch metaphor to describe what it means to proceed further into our faith and grow deeper in our love of Christ. I loved it! The language of launch, the teamwork required to complete such a mission, and the deep thinking that a launch embodies also characterizes the Suntree spirit. You are indeed deep thinking, loving and team oriented, and engaged in the life of the church here and around the world. As we journeyed through our planning, the idea of “Launching into Extraordinary Love,” taken from our e3 commitment to love in extraordinary ways was born.
Through this series, I’ve wondered if the image of the launch has held the same kind of excitement and salience for you all as it has for me. When I think about the work that is being accomplished in worship, small groups, Journey and Oasis, missions like Cuba, our Foster Care Ministry, and Daily Bread, I wonder if you feel the same connection points and excitement about the direction our church is launching into (and has been for some time). Your love of God, one another, and neighbor, is extraordinarily evident. This map simply names a truth already present: you are growing in love of God, and the world. You are working for the Kingdom. Your faith is real, present, and transformative. This launch sequence only enables further growth- it doesn’t start it. You are a wonderful church to work with. (Honestly, I feel blessed simply to be a part of this.)
As we close out this series though, I’m reminded that our question is not, “Where have we been?” but, “Where are we going?” The work is always beginning. Part of what you all will know so well, as engineer and engineer-adjacent people (shoutout to us non-math people, right?!) is that constant monitoring is what ensures a launch’s success. To help us explain this, we had a congregation member, Rich Dixon, talk about his experience working with the Apollo program and data collection that made launches to the moon possible.
