December 2, 2021
Dear Doubters of Great Faith,
Advent is the season of new beginnings, yet again, for us as Christians, as we strain toward the light of Incarnation that we know streams from a manger, and yet we wonder in our wanderings, will it come again? For isn’t that the question that haunts our journeys through most every wilderness time? I know light has split darkness, every single time, and yet, as I look to the future, I still wonder, will it again? Can I move in assured confidence that as I step out in darkness, God will meet me with light? Will everything be ok?
The ever reoccurring themes of Advent tell us, again and again, through hope, peace, love, and joy, that the light WILL meet us in our wanderings. A baby can, will, and does save our world. We don’t take that for granted; rather we take that in courageous gratitude.
I want to take a moment to update you on the most courageous and grateful way that you have responded to the “Every Perfect Gift” stewardship campaign for 2022. It is with great joy that I can report that we set a stretch goal of $296,490, $30,000 above your commitment level of $266,490 for 2021, with the intent of cutting in half the need to borrow from the reserved resources of St. Thomas the Apostle. Through your courageous gratitude for all that God has done for you, and your commitment to this place, thus far, 71 families have committed $305,570 to the ministry of Jesus Christ over the course of 2022!
I believe that this courageous and grateful response speaks directly to the Advent hope, peace, love, and joy that so radically spring forth from each of you, and from this Doubter community as a whole. We will continue to be an impact in and upon the lives of those within our walls, and those so far beyond.
Courageous gratitude is our only genuine, fitting response to being met on each and every journey of faith into darkness with light. It takes courage to respond to darkness with hope, peace, love, and joy. But every single time that we do, we experience another Advent horizon!
I have written to each of you, and I want you to know collectively, as this community of faith, how grateful I am that you are a people of courageous gratitude! If you have yet to join us on the “Every Perfect Gift” journey into 2022, it is never too late!
Yours in courageous gratitude,
Fr. Christopher+
