A Pastoral Letter
From Mother Barbara
My dear ones,

When I was called as your rector 9 years ago, someone on the Search Committee asked me what my favorite scripture passage was. I replied, without hesitation, "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10). As these words resonate within my soul, I am reminded that God is God and I am not. I always find it comforting to know that the God I fervently trust is within yet always beyond anything I can ever know or imagine. This passage also affirms my belief that in order to know God, I must be still. Certainly not always still in my actions, but first and foremost, still in my heart and soul, so I can hear the voice of God, know the will of God, feel the love of God, and trust that God is in all things, drawing us individually and collectively as humanity, onward toward goodness.

You may have found in the past 24 hours that it has been hard for your heart and soul to be still. I know it has been so for me. Living in the uncertainty and chaos of the results of the election has been challenging to our desire for an orderly path forward. We are called to wait, preferably patiently, ideally hopefully, and always faithfully, trusting that regardless of the outcome of the election, God is here for and with us all. When we are still in our heart and soul, our eyes can be opened to see the glory of God poking through the complexity, beginning the holy work of creating out of the chaos, and showing up faithfully to each one of us, regardless of our political preference. For there is something deeper and more crucial to our identity than any political party and it is something that we actually all share -- there is God's love for us and our love for God. This is what matters; this is what drives our actions; this is what shapes our world; this is what gives us peace.

I believe, as we settle our souls into the truth of God's love, as we turn our hearts toward loving "the other" (for we know that in God's eyes, there are no "others"), as we open our minds to embrace the complexity of our world and pledge to work toward unity not division, we will find that a sense of peace will settle over our lives, even in these waiting times, and this peace will push away our anxiety and our fear. Now, just because I believe it and say it, doesn't mean it automatically happens for me or for you. This takes intention and work. I am happy to help you find ways to settle your soul in the midst of these times which are challenging in so many ways. Please reach out to me.

I earnestly believe and know that the one thing that gathers our hearts and souls together each week as a faithful Body of Christ is our love of Christ. And in our baptism we have pledged to fill our world with that love -- and so whatever happens next, it begins in each one of our hearts, and will be expressed through our words spoken, our love shared, and our growing awareness of "the Christ" in all persons. Let us show love, not hate.

I am holding you all in prayer and I ask for your prayers for each other, our parish and our country. I believe with all my heart that "All will be well", for God is in all things and there is nothing beyond redemption. And I trust that we will choose to traverse this journey of waiting and watching together faithfully and with love.

Please know, I am always here for you.
Please reach out to me in whatever way is best for you (phone: 717-333-5590, email: rector@standrewsship.org).
I will offer you the love, support, and comfort you may be needing, no conditions, no exceptions.

My deep and abiding love for you offers up this prayer and blessing--

May you know love this night, may you experience grace that stretches your heart and mind to be open to see how God will use any outcome for good, may you feel the living and loving presence of Christ within you, may you see beauty and joy peek out from through this turmoil, and may the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of God's Son, Jesus our Lord, and the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be among us and remain with us forever. Amen.

In Christ's love,
Mother Barbara
A prayer to hold in your heart
Dear Father of us all, we are so thankful for your constant presence with us. We kneel before you now, your beloved community, painfully divided by disagreements and fears and divisions we may not even understand. Lord, we are anxious and weary. May we reach out to one another with compassion, may we offer love to each other without condition. Bind our wounds, banish our fears, and let us build a bridge, a bridge of shimmering light and abundant joy and healing, that we may serve you with a glad heart! Amen.

Offered by Susan Tyler, Vestry member
Our Contemplative Eucharist -- a space and time set apart so you can listen for the "small still voice of God".

This Saturday, November 7th @ 5 p.m.
Music provided by Kevin Gorman, pianist, Michelle DiBona Trefren, organist and cellist, Elizabeth Asmus, harpist.
Yearning for some peace in your heart and soul?

Come, it is Christ who invites you to meet him here.
We invite you to lean into peace, beauty, and the grace of our quiet and settled service of Holy Eucharist with Healing Prayers this Saturday at 5 p.m. in the sanctuary. With candlelight, soul-settling music, sacred scripture and the sacrament, you will find all that your heart longs for. I promise.
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
204 E. Burd Street
Shippensburg, PA 17257