Dear St. John's Community,
Today is the Feast of St. Patrick!
There is a hymn in our hymnal based on writing attributed to Patrick himself, originally penned in the 5th century. It is a prayer for protection. Musically, it is astonishing, with a middle part that sounds like a completely separate hymn. (
Here
is the version from the English hymnal, sung by the choir of Keble College.)
Patrick's Celtic spirituality holds that Christ utterly surrounds us, as can be felt by the stirring words:
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ and mouth of friend and stranger.
I offer you these comforting words this evening with the hope that they will bless you and give you encouragement.
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
***
Big news on building closure.
As I reported to you yesterday, our buildings will be closed for two months, along with all the churches of the diocese. This is hard news, but unsurprising. The staff and lay leadership of St. John's are faithfully working to innovate ways in which we can be the church even without the benefit of physically gathering. There is more to come.
Worship at St. John's virtually.
It appears that our first-ever online worship experience last weekend was a success! If you'd like to experience the service again, or for the first time, click
here
or on the image below. And feel free to share this with others.
