Be still and know that I am God! – Psalm 46:10, NRSV
Dear Doubters of Great Faith,
This is my first opportunity to say to you, in this time and space, “Happy New Year!”
It may seem a bit redundant, some 14 days into the New Year, considering all that’s happened in the still so new 2021. I am imagining that most of us held, and continue to hold, the highest of hopes that this new year will be filled with the brightness of Epiphany light, in the sure knowledge that our God, Immanuel, resides among us. The turning of “new years” naturally evoke thoughts of time, evaluations of past, present, and castings of hope for the future. It is just part and parcel of who we are as humans, in our self-revelatory process as we seek God’s ongoing and ever-going revelation.
And so, on Sunday, we will congregate, again (in Zoom), to take stock of the year that was, 2020, in the life of the parish of St. Thomas the Apostle. It will be a time to consider and to celebrate all of the ways that God has shown up in our lives, in the midst of, and maybe even in spite of, all the events of 2020. It is an important time to celebrate each other, and the ways that, through relationship, we manifest the rich goodness of God for ourselves, and for the community and world around us. And we will also look to the future, and what God may have in store for us in 2021.
I encourage you to partake of this family reunion. It is important. St. Thomas the Apostle is important. YOU are important! For you ARE the Body of Christ in this place that we celebrate as we mark another year as Christ-witnesses on this corner of Inwood and Mockingbird!
Another mile marker in time is approaching as well – my first year as your Rector. I started with you on February 2, 2020. What a joyous, joy-filled day that was! It seems like yesterday, and simultaneously a lifetime ago! To say that we have been through A LOT in our first year of ministry together would, I believe, be an understatement! However, there is no one that I can imagine “doing” 2020 with other than you, the Body of Christ known as St. Thomas the Apostle.
I truly believe God has called us together for this journey, in this particular time and space, and I hope and pray you feel that way too.
And now, it is time for me to take just a bit of time to “Be still and know that God is God.” It is time for me to reflect, and refresh, and renew, so that I may start year two with eyes anew, restored to minister to and with you, as we together continue writing this great faith journey story.
So, for the next two weeks (Tuesday, January 19 – Tuesday, February 2), I have set aside time and space to do just that! Be still and know that God is God, and I am not!
I leave you in quite capable hands, because, frankly, St. Thomas the Apostle is, by its very nature, capable hands! The Doubters are not any one of us individually, but the sum total of us together.
While I am away, Mother Virginia Holleman and Father Stephen Waller will take point on all issues of pastoral care. If you dial the church phone number, and press 6, leaving a message, your message will be delivered to one of these very capable priests. Sunday services will be led by your faithful clergy team. And your Wardens, Joe DeuPree and Michael Legacy are always at your service for any temporal matters. It really doesn’t get better than this!
I lift up my St. Thomas the Apostle family daily in my prayers, and I covet yours as well. There is no better time for us to be together than this, and for you I am eternally grateful.
I look forward to seeing you at our family reunion, the Parish Meeting, this Sunday, immediately after the 10 am worship service!
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Christopher+
