What a glorious
celebration of Pentecost we had this year! And how
wonderful it has been for so many of us to have time
together lately, worshipping with each other,
working side by side, and growing in love for one
another and for our Blessed Lord. I feel like the
most fortunate priest in the Church.
Summer approaches
quickly now (did I hear someone say, “At last!”?),
and our pace of activity around the parish typically
decreases somewhat. That can provide for a certain
relaxation and comfort. But I want to suggest that
we also use the calmer environment to focus our
attention more sharply on our devotion to Christ.
Everyone should remain faithful in worship. That is
simply the duty of the Christian. Beyond duty is
the wonderful possibility of coming to know and love
God more deeply. What might happen if more of us
were to come to worship early and spend some quiet
time in prayer before the altar before the liturgy
begins? What if, with the less hurried schedule, we
all got to know those members of our parish that
we’ve never felt we have had time to meet? I
believe there are wonderful opportunities during the
summer months to refresh our faith and our
commitment, and I hope we will all join together in
taking advantage of them.
I am going to be
away from the parish for an extended period in the
middle of the summer (June 29-August 10). In
August, I will begin my fourteenth year as rector of
St. Mark’s, and it is time for a sabbatical.
Because of unavoidable demands, I am unable to be
away for a full summer, but I’ve decided to combine
some vacation time with some study time for this
six-week period. Fr. Hough will be here for
spiritual leadership and guidance and our very
competent Sr. Warden, Mike Harron, will oversee
parish operation and vestry leadership.
During two weeks
of this summer, both priests will be away from the
office. I will be teaching at the St. Michael’s
Conference for youth, June 16-21, at Camp Crucis
while Fr. Hough is on vacation. Then, while I am
gone, he will be giving pastoral leadership to a
session at the camp, June 30-July 5. The weekday
worship schedule for both of those weeks will be
published in the weekly “On Lion’s Wings,” which you
receive at worship with your Sunday pew sheet.
Finally, many of
you have been following developments in the Anglican
Communion through various sources. In the coming
months, our bishop and other diocesan leaders will
be involved in the Global Anglican Future Conference
in Jerusalem and then in the Lambeth Conference of
bishops in England. Please keep Bishop Iker and our
diocesan family in your constant prayers. Often
people speak of what troubled times these are in the
Church, but I believe the hand of God is active to
guide and bless. Let us continually pray for one
another and “trust in the Lord with all your heart.”
Yours in Christ's love,
Beloved
in Christ,
, SSC