Welcome to Christ Episcopal Church

Dear Friends in Christ,

One of my favorite radio shows was the old NPR staple “Car Talk”, which combined a little bit of car knowledge with a lot of humor. And the show’s closing credits inevitably began with: “Well, you’ve wasted another perfectly good hour listening to Car Talk …” And like that, the hour was over before it even began. I’m feeling a little like that today.

The end of the church year is on the horizon, with Advent to follow. Lord knows, I don’t feel like I’ve wasted the last year. It’s been busy and fulfilling! But it feels like it just started, and now it’s already over. ‘

Whenever I get to the end of something, one of my practices is to look back and think about the things I’m grateful for. Thanksgiving is an important prayer practice. Three times a week we celebrate Holy Eucharist at Christ Church – a thanksgiving (from the Greek work eucharistia) of all God’s saving acts. And one of the best and most simple frameworks for Christian prayer is “ACTS”: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. So in that vein, here are just some of the things I’m grateful for as our “perfectly good year following Jesus” comes to an end….

I’m grateful for the ways we have deepened our discipleship as a congregation – through continued Bible Study, through the public discipleship campaign many of you have participated in, through the conversations at (and after!) our formation sessions, and through your participation in our Lenten Lament services.

I’m grateful for the steps we have taken to intentionally bring our youth into the wider life of our congregation. My heart has been filled with joy listening to the conversations our Confirmation discerners and their mentors have had; witnessing the interactions at our Intergenerational Formation; and seeing a Prayground space in our sanctuary become a reality.

I’m grateful for the immense generosity this congregation models toward our community. Whether it is allowing groups like Hope and Harbor, Next Step, or recovery groups to use our space; our Coat Shed – a ministry that has now outgrown our ability to run it alone (Hallelujah for such a meaningful ministry!), the lives we’re changing at Tower View Alternative High School, our Blessing of the Animals – and more!

I’m grateful – and humbled – by the generosity you show toward this church. I’m extremely grateful for the time, talent, and treasure that has been donated toward maintaining, repairing, and improving our building – it’s all gone far beyond my hopes and dreams! And each and every committee brings life and helps us in our mission to love God and love our neighbor.

And finally, I’m grateful for the opportunity to worship with you. It’s a joy to be here week after week in community, celebrating the sacraments and encouraging each other as we sing beautiful music and pray beautiful prayers together to the God whose steadfast love, mercy, and faithfulness never change. I cannot thank you all enough.

There’s plenty for us to do in the coming year to grow in our discipleship and learn how to more faithfully follow Jesus. But tethering ourselves to the power of the Living God inevitably means that we will do what I ask you to do each time we celebrate Eucharist. “Lift up your hearts; and give thanks to the Lord our God”. So this month, find those things you are grateful for, and offer them up to the God who delights in such sacrifices

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Thank you for sharing your worship with us. 

May the peace of God fill your heart and mind, and the Blessing of God Almighty—the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit—be with you, and remain with you, always.