Where’s the good news? If you were listening to the readings this past Sunday, that question may have occurred to you. We come to church to be comforted and encouraged, and instead hear about Job’s trials and some harsh words from Jesus about divorce. Where’s the good news?

Sometimes finding the good news requires some hard work and soul-searching. Take Jesus’ words on divorce, written 2000 years ago in a specific cultural time and place. We resist the common temptation to proof-text: to take one line out of context and make it a law.

Instead, we look to the bigger message. God has a dream for us - to be in covenant relationship, to learn and grow together, to trust and care for each other. Sometimes we are able to live into that dream, however imperfectly. Other times, despite our best efforts, we are not able, or meant, to continue in relationship. Endings are hard. But sometimes, the best way to honor the spirit of marriage is for a marriage to end. No matter what, God loves us, God forgives us and everyone still has a place at the table. No one is ostracized here. No one is excluded here. There is enough grace and love to go around.  

St. David’s covenant community is a place where relationships are forged and shared. A place where we can share our brokenness with one another and love one another through the hard bits. A place where we are first-hand witnesses to the reality and power of the resurrection. Through the grace of God, life begins again. Through the love of Jesus, all things are made whole and new. And that, my friends, is good news indeed.

Blessings,

Mary Kay+

Pray for those who suffer in body, mind or spirit: Colgate, Mary, John, Abby, Ken, Annie, Janet, Ginny, Stacey, Zakary, Madeline, Bob, Sofia, Richard, Michele, Madison, Len, Caroline, Grace, Shirley and all those being prayed for by our prayer teams.

We pray for those who have died: Richard, Pat, Gene, Jerry, David, Margaret, Kelly, Anita, Stefan and Marvin; and those who have lost a loved one through death: the Whitlock family, the Nutwell family, the Hayes family, the Sonnthal family, the Yealdhall family, and the Mellish family.

We pray for our clergy, vestry, ministries, church staff, school staff, parents, and children.

Loving God, we pray for all those who continue to be affected by the pandemic.

We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

We look forward to seeing you! Contact mcarey@sdlife.org with any questions.

St. David's Episcopal Church and School 'Broken Open' 2022 Stewardship Campaign kicks off this Sunday, October 10!

Our Becoming Beloved Community team is dedicated to sacred conversations about learning about and dismantling racism. We are offering a five week small virtual group course which will begin on Thursday, October 14, at 6:30pm and continue on Thursdays through November 18. The class will provide opportunity for honest conversation in the context of our faith, along with resources and readings. If you would like to sign up for the class, please email Bobbie Johnson at mariuscat@verizon.net. We hope you join us.

St. David's is seeking an individual or a family who would be able to carry the Grace to Go outreach forward in 2022. Training/orientation will be provided. If St. David's does not have an outreach leader by November 1, its commitment to Grace to Go will come to an end. Thanks for your prayerful consideration! Please contact domesticoutreach@sdlife.org for more information.

Members are needed to help join a small team for setup and clean up of the altar at Sunday services. Training is at your convivence and takes less than an hour. If you are looking for a way to contribute to St. David's, Altar Guild requires a minimal time commitment and does not affect your Sunday service. Contact Margaret Anderson or Katie Graham at (703) 729-0570 to join!

Holy Hikes are monthly hikes that get us outside together. Through Holy Hikes the youth escape technology and teenage tensions, exploring God in the beauty of God’s creation. Outdoor ministry is one way of building the connections. Questions? Suggestions? Volunteer and mentor opportunities?

Contact Maureen at youthministry@sdlife.org

Sunday, October 10th, November 14th, December 12th 12:30–2pm in the annex. Lunch and fellowship will be provided.

For all Youth Ministry questions please contact Maureen Carey at youthministry@sdlife.org.

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