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Message from the Rector
A congregant recently said to me, “I feel like you’ve been gone a lot recently…we miss you when you’re not here!” The truth is, I miss you too, but at the CREDO conference on clergy wellness that I attended recently, I heard the message, “Healthy priests lead healthy congregations.” This means that when clergy care for themselves, they are better equipped to care for their congregations well. I take this message seriously. As you may have noticed, I have purposely lost some weight under the direction and encouragement of my physician. I maintain a robust prayer life, praying for everyone in this congregation by name every day. Additionally, I meticulously plan out my annual calendar to use my full four weeks of personal leave each year in order to ensure rest, reconnection with friends and family, and fun. I do all this so that I can be fully present and 100% committed to you and the mission of this parish.
While summer is usually a time for vacations, as your well-rested and super-energized rector, I will be here in church every Sunday to focus on our new initiatives. These include future visioning and an exciting summer education offering during our formation hour on Sundays, devoted to learning about the Bible (more info to come soon). I couldn’t be more excited for this summer with you, and I can’t wait to see how the Holy Spirit will move and work in our parish.
Speaking of the Holy Spirit, this Sunday is Pentecost Sunday, and it is a BIG one! It’s our last Outreach Breakfast until September, so come to the parish hall between services with empty bellies and full wallets. It’s a great opportunity for fellowship, and since it's Pentecost, we will also have a birthday cake to celebrate the Church's birthday!
Our 10:30 am service will be particularly special as we welcome three new members into the body of Christ through the sacrament of baptism. We will baptize a five-year-old, Brooks Joseph Timmerman, grandson of our own Melissa Timmerman, as well as two adults, Jessica Naylor and Brittany Ann Downs.
Later in the afternoon, at the cathedral in Baltimore, we have the honor of witnessing four of our members being officially received into the Episcopal Church: Glenn and Tami Iona, Joe Klausner, and Meghan Westlund. Additionally, Brittany Ann Downs will be confirmed. If you can, come and support them at 3 pm.
I look forward to seeing you all this Sunday, dressed in red and ready to celebrate the birth of the Church, the growth of our community, and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Andrew +
FYI: Next Sunday, May 26, will be my last Sunday out of town for a LONG time. I will be out of town all next week to spend time with family and celebrate my nephew's high school graduation. In the case of any pastoral emergencies, such as hospitalization or death, please contact our Senior Warden, Hope Sayles, on her cell phone at 301-467-1467.
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