Prayers of Thanksgiving and The Start of A New Program Year!

“Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.” From Ephesian 6:10-20

The last few weeks we’ve begun experiencing the normal uptick in energy that comes when school resumes — the fullness of our program offerings come back to the schedule, people return from disparate vacation schedules, and we start looking at what the year will offer. Last Sunday was joyous when we learned about our history through some of our sacred vessels during the Altar Guild’s presentation of The Treasures of St. Mark’s; our children experienced the holiness of our communion service up close during Little Hands at the Altar, we had a beautiful Instructed Eucharist with an annotated bulletin, and we blessed and prayed for our school children and educators at the Peace. 

This coming weekend on Sunday at 9:15 a.m. during the Ministry Fair in Gish Hall, we will work on a service project, meet the Sunday school teachers, and celebrate ten years of shared ministry together. When I think of the privilege of being your Rector for these years, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. We’ve had some exciting times, irony intended, but there is no other place I would have chosen to be other than here. I pray for all of you daily, and I’ve felt your prayers of support and care throughout our time together. To mark time and pray for one another is a holy task and a deep privilege.

Early this week the senior staff gifted me a beautiful new set of devotional candles. The wax of each candle was made from portions of Paschal candles lit here at St. Mark’s, during my tenure. It is well known that there is no service I love more than the Easter Vigil. Blessing that Paschal candle each year while singing the hope which comes from the Light of Christ, is a sustaining image of my ministry. That same candle burns when we baptize new members and bury our beloveds from this dear congregation. As I continue praying for each of you and covet your prayers in return, these new candles are especially precious to me.

When I gather ten-years of memories of you and I walking alongside one another in moments of new birth and sacred death, they all point toward the hope we find in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. As we sing each Easter, “The Light of Christ. Thanks be to God.”. Thank you for bearing Christ’s light so powerfully to me in these past ten years. I remain grateful to serve with you.

Peace, Beth +