Rev. Takouhi’s Reflection…Fall 2026

Dear Trinity United Church,

Have you ever walked or driven through dense fog?

How about being on vacation on a cruise ship, and hearing the foghorn go off every few minutes, as the ship was inside dense patches of fog?

This August, for the second time in our lives, Gary and I had the fortunate opportunity to go on a cruise, not at a full price but at the 1/3 of the original price. Finding a last-minute deal always makes vacations sweeter. We had the beautiful opportunity to travel to Greece, visit Ancient Corinth (Greece) and cruise from Athens to Barcelona, Spain, making stops in Montenegro, Greece, Italy and France. We got to see beautiful and historic places. Each port was unique with its lighthouses, churches, castles, forts, yachts and fishing boats.

There are many wonderful pictures and experiences for Gary and I to share with all of you, and we will do a presentation at our next Potluck & Praise (Oct. 20, 6 p.m. – mark your calendars). However, with this reflection I want to share with you the thoughts and lessons that overflowed in me on Sept. 3, our 26th wedding anniversary, overnight into the new day of Sept. 4.

My curiosity was piqued when I heard the horn and Gary told me it must be foggy outside. Of course, I wanted to go out and see and experience it. Of course, Gary, being the caring husband that he is, said to be careful, because the balcony could be slippery. Well, he was right. The fog was thick, and it felt like I walked through a veil of hot steam. The temperature during the days we were on the cruise went up to 40C. I was able to snap a few photos – and not lose my cell phone to the waters of darkness – and capture a few good ones.

Beloved, the reason I am reflecting on this experience today is because the church over the centuries has been referred to as a ship going through unknown hardships and charting through waves of unknowing. But all through history, God has brought us through these unknown difficult and dark moments.

One thing required of a ship is to leave the port, depart from the status quo, and by God’s Grace sail through new shores to grow in the beauty that God has gifted us and rejuvenate our hearts, minds and bodies – not for our own sake but for the sake of the world that God Loves so much.

When I came back to work and I saw the amazing new look of our sanctuary chancel, I was overjoyed because the new look is far better than I ever imagined. When we met a few times to plan this transformation with a few individuals from Spiritual Leadership, Building and Grounds, and a few more. I could not see the picture fully, but with Trust in God and having faith in each other’s wisdom, our chancel is transformed with the Newness of God’s Vision.

Beloved, in this season of Fall/Letting Go, let us not be afraid to let go of the status quo. Let us not be afraid to journey through the thick darkness of the unknown in this world and try to use the foghorn not as a nuisance, but as a way to alert others that there is a ship, a church, a community of faith, who not only help each other within the immediate community, but also work together to help the world be a better place.

Trinity, what habits do we need to get rid of, and what habits do we need to adapt, to lead this life with Love and Respect?

I remain humbly within God’s Grace…
God’s Servant-Daughter,
Rev. Takouhi Demirdjian-Petro
B.A., B.Th., M.Div.