The following article written by Rev. Duane Carlisle is an excerpt from the Summer 2026 Prevue.
As we settle into the heart of summer, I’ve found myself paying attention to the rhythms of our life together as a church. I wanted to share a few observations—just musing aloud about what I’m seeing among us.
Several weeks ago, your pastors, staff, and church leaders began asking a simple question: How can we celebrate our life of faith during a season when people’s routines naturally change? School is out. Families travel. Weekends fill up. Summer has its own pace.
We also know that these seasonal patterns exist within a much larger cultural reality. Across the country, churches continue to experience declining participation. Recent Barna research notes that the percentage of Americans who identify as practicing Christians has fallen from 46% to 24% over the last 25 years, and the perceived importance of faith has declined significantly as well.
None of that is news to us. Every summer, attendance shifts, and over the years First Church has responded in different ways.
This year, though, we wanted to try something different.
Instead of approaching summer with a mindset of scarcity, we wanted to lean into abundance. Rather than simply “getting through” the season, we wondered what it might look like to embrace it with joy, creativity, and hope.
That’s how Summer Vibes was born.
With the help of our communications partners—and a whole lot of brainstorming—we landed on a theme that was colorful, playful, welcoming, and flexible enough to keep evolving all summer long.
I have to admit, I never imagined just how enthusiastically you would embrace it.
Whether it’s the colorful sunglasses, the groan-worthy dad jokes, the music, the laughter, or the simple willingness to try something new together, I’ve sensed an energy every single week that is both infectious and deeply heartwarming.
Even more encouraging, I’m seeing people discover new ways to share their gifts. When people are invited to participate, they find purpose. When they offer their gifts, relationships grow. New friendships are forming. People are connecting across generations and worship preferences. There is a beautiful sense that we’re creating something together.
I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who has contributed to this summer’s energy. Our worship team continues to dream up fresh ideas and invite new voices and talents into worship, and there is still plenty to look forward to before summer comes to a close.
As I watch all of this unfold, I can’t help but think about Pentecost.
The Holy Spirit has always been about creating life where we least expect it, drawing people together, awakening gifts, building community, and reminding us that God’s future is always larger than our fears.
I believe that same Spirit is moving among us today.
I can feel it. Can you?
Rev. Duane Carlisle (he/him)
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