Dear Doubters of Great Faith,
Well, we, you and I, have been together for six months. Six months! On Sunday, February 2, you may remember that I mentioned that we had 18 years to do this thing between us, to live out our time together, and that it would go much faster than we all would or could possibly imagine. And now, six months have been chipped away.
In some ways, thanks to “Corona-tide” it seems as though it’s been a lifetime, and yet there is so much that I do not know, so much yet to discover, about the beautiful tapestry woven together into what is St. Thomas the Apostle Church. And I know that I want to know more. I need to know more. Because I know that God is calling us, you and me, to do something big here with our piece of the ‘kin-dom’ at Inwood and Mockingbird (and, truth be told, far beyond!).
And I have realized that, in spite of the business manager that runs constantly within me, that always wants to parse and challenge and tease out each next moment in that pursuit, that I need to unplug for a bit, to recharge, refresh, and renew, to seek the revelation of God in stillness. That is a bit of a scary thing for a “do-er!”
So, for the next two weeks (Monday, July 20 – Monday, August 3), 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.
See you (virtually) in August, refreshed and renewed!
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Christopher+
