The President’s Column

Dear Congregation,

Speaking to you personally—

Have you ever felt outdone, outshone, not as capable as someone else?

My advice? Set those feelings aside as being a myth.

Actually, Henry William Longfellow wrote this for you in his poem, titled “The Castle-Builder”.

A gentle boy, with soft and silken locks,

A dreamy boy, with browned tender eyes,

A castle-builder, with his wooden blocks,

And towers that touch imaginary skies,

A fearless rider on his father’s knee,

An eager listener unto stories told,

At the Round Table of the nursery,

Of heroes and adventures manifold,

There will be other towers for thee to build;

There will be other legends, and all filled

With greater marvels and more glorified,

Build on, and make thy castles high and fair,

Rising and reaching upward to the skies;

Listen to voices in the upper air,

Nor lose thy simple faith mysteries.

Also, from Night Thoughts, by Edward Young:

“Too low they build who build beneath the stars.”

This July, build your dreams, undeterred.

Sincerely,

Peggy J. Webbe, President