May 2026

Following the old adage "April Showers Bring May Flowers", I am most thankful for recent rains to nourish our grounds, rivers and the beautiful lavender and rose bushes in our yard.  Sherry recently purchased me a raised garden bed for our back deck, which she and our middle boy, Khoa, put together lovingly knowing how things usually wind up when I try putting together those "easy assemble" things from Wal-Mart. As sad and disappointed as I was that only one of the eight pepper plants survived that I tried starting inside from harvested seeds from last year's pepper harvest, I was so excited for the one that did make it.  Fortunately, Rural King is only a couple of miles away, and they seem eager to accept my money to fill out my other several slots in my raised garden bed and pots 🥴

When I reflect on the past sixty years of my life, look at my successes as well as my failures, another baseball analogy comes to mind.  If a professional baseball player can put the ball in fair play every one out of three at bats, there is a good chance they will wind up in the hall of fame.  If they miss a ball coming their way in the field every one out of three times, there is a high likelihood that they will wish they had actually gone to class in college, and earned that degree, as they will (highly likely) be looking for a job.

Sticking with baseball (since it is that time of the year), my late father once yelled at me for watching a first pitch go straight down the middle while I just stood there.  My dad (usually a very quiet and pensive man) bellowed: "SON! IF YOU SWING THE BAT, THERE IS A 50% CHANCE YOU WILL MISS. IF YOU DON'T SWING THE BAT, THERE IS A 100% CHANCE YOU ARE GOING TO MISS.  SWING THE DANG BAT!!”

In my April 24th sermon "To Be or Not To Be", we reflected upon that phrase, taken from William Shakespeare's play Hamlet, in which Hamlet contemplates the nature of existence, and the consequence of choosing to act or not to act."  The parallels, for me, with respect to these stories brings me to John, Chapter 10 (verse 1-10) which was our passage for this sermon.  If we choose not to walk through the gate which the gatekeeper (Christ) provides for us, and instead choose a different route, we have only ourselves to blame for the consequences, as we cannot cheat the system our Lord and savior has provided.  We either believe, or we don't.  We either go to class, or we fail.  We either swing the bat, or we risk striking out.  We either accept God's calling to be, or not to be, whatever God has planned for us. 

I praise God for all of you who choose to accept God's calling, whatever it may be.  I am thankful that I went to class.  I am thankful that I learned how to swing the bat.  These past seven months have humbly reminded me that God still has a plan for me.  I look forward to the journey.  Please keep praying for me and our church.  I just need to be willing to "be."

Your Humble Servant,

Michael 

April 2026

April Showers Bring May Flowers!?!?" 

Rev. Michael S. Williams

In the month of April, the phrase, April showers bring May flowers is commonly used. But April isn’t the rainiest month of the year, at least in Virginia, making us wonder why the saying is about April and not other rainy months. Another question is if these showers really bring flowers in May?  Being part British, I found it fascinating that The saying "April Showers Bring May Flowers" originated from the United Kingdom (allegedly as long ago as the early 1600's, more commonly used in the 1800's). The lower temperatures in the UK often push back the blooming of flowers to early May, so that’s why they are referred to as May flowers.  Some believe that this saying teaches us that a circumstance leads to a different one in different stages of life.

As one who celebrates his birthday in early March (and being a Northern Shenandoah Valley Boy), I have experienced every season imaginable in March.  I've built snowmen, snow forts, gone sled riding.  I've seen torrential rains flood the Rappahannock river (where I was Baptised) in Sumerduck (Southern Fauquier County, Va).  I've witnessed a tornado.  I've also played baseball on my birthday, wearing shorts and a short sleeve shirt, frequently wiping the sweat off of my face from the intense heat.

I often joke with folks that we should change the motto of Virginia from "Virginia is for Lovers" to "Welcome to Virginia, home of the Bi-Polar Climate.  If you don't like our season, please be patient and give us a few hours."  Recently, this reminded me of my sermon on Sunday, 22 March ("Wake Up!!"), when I asked how many of us have that '"Gotta Have it NOW" mentality, parallelling our impatience with God with that of Mary and Martha over the death, and eventuality of bringing back to life, of Lazarus.

I can't wait to see the blossoms of tulips and my vegetable plants each spring.  I love the joy of "new life".  Sometimes, I get impatient because I want to move my plants outdoors to bigger pots sooner than they are ready.  I have to remind myself way too often that my time frame and God's don't always match, and that's "not" God's problem.....it's mine.

Waiting on the Lord to do God's thing in God's time is not easy for any of us, whether it's a flower, a vegetable plant, the birth of a child, or something more serious like an operation or a life changing event, wanting our body to heal quicker than the body is ready.....if ready at all.  Instead of waiting on the Lord and "Being Still" (Psalm 46:10), we want to rush God.  Guess what, folks? It's not going to happen.  As easy as it is to get frustrated, confused, upset, hurt, and even angry, what a blessing it is to see God's plan work on God's schedule.  

I'm convinced that God brings us spring in the Northern Shenandoah Valley slowly to remind us to slow ourselves down, "smell the roses", enjoy the slow growth of the vegetables, be thankful for the process of life, and thank God often (especially at this time of year) for the reminder of renewal, the joy of new life, and the opportunity for inner peace, through Jesus Christ.

Peace and Blessings,

Michael

March 2026

In March 1966, Virginia experienced significant snowfall, particularly in the region of Winchester, VA. The Blizzard of 1966, which occurred between March 2-5, resulted in 20 to 30 inches of snow in some areas, with wind gusts exceeding 70 mph. This blizzard caused widespread disruption, including school closures and food shortages across the state. The blizzard is notable for its long duration and severe conditions, making it one of the most severe winter storms in Virginia's history.

On March 8, 1966, a beautiful woman from Ipswich, Suffolk (England), with a two-year-old boy already in tow, had just come over from her homeland a month before.  Driven by her sister-in-law in her rear-wheel-drive Pontiac to Winchester Medical Center (The Old Cork Street location) around 12 noon, a baby boy, most eager to make his grand appearance was (allegedly) already to check out of mommas crib by the time Aunt Evelyn and Momma got to the hospital.  Rushed to the delivery room  (ON THE 3RD FLOOR!!), less than thirty minutes after arrival, Michael Sean Williams was welcomed into the World.

My grandmother, Edna (a Nurse’s Assistant) was observed running around the corner to see her newest grandbaby, and her youngest son’s boy. She was said to immediately yell out to the World: “HIS NAME IS MICHAEL!!” Fortunately, my mother and father had already planned this, knowing how much my grandma Williams always wanted a “Michael” in the family.  Not lost in the chaos was my Great Aunt Maxine, who thought it was perfectly acceptable to come into the delivery room smoking a cigarette.  Apparently, even in the 1960’s this was frowned upon 😆.

Sixty years later, I take measure of the strong family roots that helped me become the man that I am today.  I was always close with my grandma Williams, and my Aunt Evelyn was the only human I ever eulogized as a Saint.  Every time I drive by “The Old Hospital”, I still smile.

March is a reflective month for me.  One never knows what to expect, whether it’s weather, or, you know…..Michael being Michael.  Reflecting on my life, the enjoyment and the sorrows, over the past sixty years, I’m constantly reminded that God always has a plan for me.  It may not be what I had in mind, but like Jesus' half-brother, James, was quoted (James 1: 2- 4, NSRV): “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face various trials, consider it all joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance complete its work, so that you may be complete and whole, lacking in nothing. “  This reminds me that God is not done with me.  He’s not done with you.  While I have no clue what the future holds, I am confident who holds my future.  In this, I find eternal refuge and peace.

 Peace and Blessings,

Michael