From the Rector

 

Elsewhere in this newsletter [February Word] our new Senior Warden, David Price, has written an accounting of our 2005 Annual Parish Meeting held in Huffman Hall on January 9, 2005.  It was a spirited and productive event, great chili, excellent presentation and a parish poised to move into a strong future together.  I am so grateful to Jack Ryfle and Jerry Ballard and the cast of 1,000’s that made that event so special.

 

Bob Lively – Praying, Writing and Teaching

Looking ahead, I am pleased that Bob Lively has now begun his work with us.  Bob will be teaching each Sunday morning from now until June.  As we have announced, this is a “sabbatical” period of rest, reading, part-time teaching, studying, writing and praying for Bob.  As an ordained Presbyterian serving in our Episcopal parish, Bob’s duties will be specific.  He will not serve at our altar, perform burials or weddings or otherwise function in a way similar to an Episcopal priest while he is working here.  I make this distinction because Bob is in no way coming on staff in a pastoral role.  I believe his presence will be dynamic and creative for our clergy, staff and congregation.  We will be blessed to have a praying and studying teacher in residence with us.

 

Edge of Adventure

I remind you that Keith and Andrea Miller, together with Paul Williams, are hard at work preparing to re-publish Keith’s great work with Bruce Larson, The Edge of Adventure.  Edge of Adventure gathers a small group of people who desire to grow in their faith, in order to study and pray and renew their commitments to Christ, week after week, for 13 weeks.  Would you like an opportunity to serve in a pilot group of 12 adults?  Please feel free to speak to Keith or Andrea or Paul or me.

 

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 9

Lent is a time to think our deepest thoughts and to feel our truest feelings.  To think about how we expend our energy.  To think about how we love and choose not to love.  To think about our sin and prejudice and our desire to shrink God down to a manageable, controllable size.  We do this gut-check thinking in order to be able to decide, to choose.  Am I living in a way that is fruit-bearing for the Kingdom of God?  If I could, would I choose to change, to repent, in order to be more faithful to our Lord?  The Lenten schedule at St. Matthew’s is included in this edition of The Word.  I call you, in the name of the church, to the observance of a holy Lent.  None of us does, or ever will, live up to the example of life set for us by Jesus.  We fail.  We absolutely require forgiveness or we will perish.  A sincere plunge into the truth-telling of the Lenten season may be unnerving, but grace abounds with our sincerity and our willingness to encounter Christ in our own lives.  God bless you as you keep a sacred Lent.

 

Faithfully, Merrill