January 09, 2020
St. Luke’s, friends and family:
Well, we made it. We moved through our first Christmas together; rather seamlessly I might add. The flu was in full force at the rectory and throughout the parish, but the chips were never stacked against us. St. Lukes’ bench is pretty deep and I’m especially grateful to those who helped make our celebrations so wonderful.
We moved to Sea Cliff on June 14th so this coming Tuesday will mark our 6 month anniversary. In these past months I have been so excited and relieved at the ease with which our congregation goes through the motions and the willingness folks have to take part and be involved. I guess it's been an epiphany of sorts for me.
When we hear the stories of this season - stories of stars and dreams that guide, of doves that descend and voices that boom in the heavens, of glorious transfigurations on ancient mountains - we may be conditioned to seek epic signs that God is in our midst. But our star (of recycled plywood, old christmas lights and glitter glue) led kings, little sheep and shepherds in a pageant that was guided by a pinch-hit director. I heard voices boom during vocal solos on Christmas Eve and morning. And though it may not be a mountain top, it takes a tall ladder to hang (and take down) wreaths and greens around our church. I didn’t see a dove but I know that the Holy Spirit descended on our parish this holiday season.
As we enter into the season of Epiphany, look for signs not in the heavens but in the pews. Not in the clouds but in the kitchen and the parish hall. Not just on Sunday morning, but at anytime of the week. God’s grace is being revealed throughout our little red church, throughout the village and the world. Little sparks of light and life that these short days and troubling times cannot conceal. It may be that you are that spark for others.
I look forward to the new year and to sharing many more epiphanies with all of you.
Your brother in Christ,
Jesse+