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Dear Friends,
Thank you for making our first Art in Bloom FUNdraiser so successful. I am humbled by the hard work and generosity of the organizers, champions, and suppliers of donations. A big thanks to Amy and Steve Poss, Ted Gibbs, Kathie and Bob Jinks, Michelle Campbell, Jena Baldridge, Tony Goddard and to everyone who donated items, food, wine, and drinks.
A special touch was Howard Mathews and his band playing for us throughout the night. Such a delight!
I am also inspired by the turnout. So many friends and family members were invited to join us and celebrate our life together. It was encouraging to hear laughter, watch people hug and chat, and just being in our sanctuary together filled my heart with joy and hope.
When I first began to dream about our church, I wanted it to be a place where everyone could be welcomed and know they belong. I prayed (and still do) that we will be a place for all people to feel loved and valued. That everyone who encounters us will be empowered to live out their faith in ways that are meaningful to them. Art in Bloom gave me a glimpse of this dream coming true.
Glancing around the room, I watched a couple dance and laugh as the band played, I watched old friends reunite and new friends being made. I watched our teens patiently face paint adults and kiddos, offering their gift of creativity to our event. I watched one of our littlest guys, when he could not find his parents, reach out and up to be held by one of our parishioners. In addition to all the love and friendship present on Friday evening, I also was encouraged by a few of our families who couldn’t make it to our event. They were at the Seth Strong Foundation’s annual Kickball Tournament and Fundraiser. They were spending their time working to raise funds for families with sick children and strengthening the community around us.
All of this work, this faithful, community building, life-giving work, reminds me of a quote turned into a prayer by Unitarian Clergyman Edward Everett Hale. It was published in the book, A Year of Beautiful Thoughts (1902).
I am only one, but I am one. I can't do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do. And by the grace of God, I will. Amen.
Rev. Hale believed the church needed to go meet all people and creatures outside the walls of the church to share the love of Jesus Christ. He believed we ought to proclaim Christ's love in all we do. I find this prayer to be a great reminder that we can all do something. And I know, from my experiences at St. Nicholas, that many of us do many beautiful things for the sake of God’s Kingdom. I also know, from my experiences with y’all, that we are doing many things in our community to share our love of God in Christ Jesus.
So…
Keep it up!
Pray this prayer and thank God for all our opportunities for us to share the love we have found in Jesus Christ.
God’s Peace, Love, and Blessings,
Beth+
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