Thank you, from the Interim Rector
The 13th century mystic Meister Eckhart once wrote:
If the only prayer you ever said was ‘Thank you’ that would suffice.
So, as we wrap up a VERY interesting summer, full of comings and goings and change, and head into our program year, I want to say, over and over,
THANK YOU, ST. PAUL'S for:
your incredible patience with, and kindness to, all who stepped in to help with preaching, pastoral care, and celebrating: Bruce, Guilianna, Mark, Mary, Shane, and Yuri,
the Green Team who worked all summer toward their goal of transforming St. Paul’s grounds from a green but sterile landscape to a living campus, a habitat where native flora and fauna thrive,
being willing to re-envision Sunday morning coffee hour to be not so much about over-the-top food as much as hosting, connecting, building relationships with each other,
being willing to dance with Laurie as we celebrated her life and ministry among us (see video below),
the Vestry who prioritized “building community” as its number one priority during the interim period, and who, month in and month out, has our backs as a parish and works hard to make faithful, considered decisions,
raising your tolerance level for trying expansive liturgy, specifically the Mess Fest Eucharist and the Independence Day Lessons & Carols,
greeting visitors and newcomers on Sunday mornings and helping them feel connected and known and welcomed,
quiet, persistent, behind-the-scenes ministries like Altar Guild, Lay Eucharistic Visitors, ushers, Lay Eucharistic Ministers, lectors, intercessors, acolytes, crucifers, torch bearers, and Children’s Chapel,
wearing name tags and re-introducing yourself to your Interim Rector every Sunday,
the many hands that made Mess Fest possible, and a huge success,
all you do, and more importantly, all you are in ways big and small, subtle and loud.
In sum, we are taught that gratitude is, ultimately, all that is required of us: gratitude to God, gratitude to each other, gratitude for changing seasons and family and blessings. And, I’ll go even further and say gratitude for challenges, heartbreak, chaos, and loss. Because it’s in time of hardship and confusion that God especially shows up and infuses our open hearts with grace. As we welcome back our Associate Rectors Beth and Jeff, as we launch our fall programming, reconnect after a long summer please know how deeply grateful I am to have been invited to walk alongside you and for the blessings of your good cheer and company.
