Disciples, Apostles, and Saints!
It is wonderful to be back, to be welcomed and supported by such a loving and generous community! After three months of Sabbatical, it is a time of joy and grace to prepare for reunion, to be among friends again.
The experience is also quite overwhelming. As I walked toward the sacristy on Sunday morning, I found the enthusiasm and gratitude energizing – and kind of disorienting. Not in a bad way, though! Because I wanted to give each person the welcome they were giving me. But there are so many more of you than there are of me! Those numbers add up quickly.
I made a brief reference in the homily to that experience of returning to the building in 2021 after our common time away from it for the first part of the pandemic. And for me, that is how it felt. To be back again after a long time away. And yet the people kept gathering! The church was still the church. Life kept happening here. And I am genuinely grateful that it did!
I’m excited to hear the stories of what the summer of renewal was like here. To hear all the highs and lows and excitements and hopes that came from a blessed time of special gathering and celebration. Please make time to share with me your new pursuits, discoveries, dreams and anticipations that came from the last few months of creating and sharing. Because I want to hear all about it.
With love,
Drew+
