Introduction to June 2026 Commentaries from Beth Hayward

As June arrives there is deep gratitude that summer’s delight can’t be far off – at least here where I write on the eastern coast of Canada. We are done with the cold and wet and look forward to what summer has in store. The transition starts to show itself in the community life of congregations: picnic Sundays, outdoor worship, all a little more relaxed. As people start to head to cottages (cabins or camps or whatever you might call them), go on summer travels or just sit in their gardens with a cup of coffee and a book, we will notice some lower attendance at church. Not new. And in this month when the pace begins to shift perhaps you too might consider some sermon delivery opportunities. Perhaps this is the moment to bring your listeners into conversation with the text in real time. Maybe you engage in a month-long exploration of the power of a journey into the unknown to reveal truth we simply can’t imagine when we stay where we are.