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Dear Friends,

This weekend’s Gospel is the remarkable story of Jesus walking on water. In the story, after a long day of healing and teaching, Jesus goes up on the mountain to pray, while the disciples get into the boat and head to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. That evening, the boat was battered by seas and Jesus sets out across the water, walking toward them. This, of course, terrifies them, ‘It is a ghost!’ they cry. Jesus reassures them, saying, ‘“Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”

Then Peter says to Jesus, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” “Come” Jesus says. And for a moment, Peter joins him on the water. Realizing what he is doing, he becomes frightened and begins to sink. After they’ve returned to the safety of the boat Jesus says, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

In her book, titled ‘Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art, the author Madeline L’Engle talks about a lesson we can learn from this week’s Gospel story. She says, “In a very real sense not one of us is qualified, but it seems that God continually chooses the most unqualified to do his work, to bear his glory. If we are qualified, we tend to think that we have done the job ourselves. If we are forced to accept our evident lack of qualification, then there's no danger that we will confuse God's work with our own, or God's glory with our own.”

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

George

Jesus Walks on Water, 14th Century Armenian Manuscript

A Note From the Interim Rector

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4.6-7)

Dear Friends-

Last week I shared with the vestry that I will be ending my time with you as Interim Rector on Sunday, September 3. 

I have treasured the sixteen months I have served among you and feel good about what you have been able to accomplish in our time together. Our time together and new Mission Strategy has prepared you to welcome new clergy leadership. 

The decision to leave St. Peter’s has not come easily. It was always my intention to stay with you until your new Priest in Charge arrived. However, if there is one thing I’ve learned over the last seventeen years of ministry, the Holy Spirit sometimes has other plans. 

A few weeks ago I received a call from the Rt. Rev. Thomas Brown, the Bishop of Maine, who asked me to come alongside the Cathedral Church of St. Luke as Interim Rector. After much prayer and conversation, I have accepted the call. The decision to leave was made much easier by the confidence I have in your lay leaders and staff. 

In the coming weeks you will be hearing from your wardens regarding the clergy leadership that will partner with you until your Priest in Charge is in place. 

I am so thankful for the time we have shared together and I have great faith in the future of this wonderful congregation.

                                                                             Blessings-

                                                                             The Rev. George R. Stevens

                                                                             Interim Rector

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING B-SAFE!

Back in July, St. Peter’s once again partnered with St. Elizabeth’s Church in

Sudbury to benefit students from St. Stephen’s Church in Boston. A huge thank

you to Karen Montague and Ann O’Rourke for organizing the Friday movie and

lunch in the Parish Hall. I would also like to thank the other parishioners who

made this day so special by generously donating and serving food: George

Stevens, Bobby DeRegis, Cheryl Murphy, Becky Callow, Lynn Maruskin, Camille

Batarekh, Mike Iacono, Norva Kennard, and Margaret Randle.

The following week we provided 30 bags of groceries complete with $50 Stop and

Shop gift cards for St. Stephen’s families. A special thank you to Kim and Scott

Francour and Bobby DeRegis who helped procure and load the food.

Apologies to anyone whose contributions I may have overlooked.

Afghan Ministry Update

Back to School Drive! Summer is flying by and volunteers are helping get the kids out to playgrounds, the library, pools and even sailing. This week the kids enjoyed make your own sundaes at Camp Brookside. Anything to get them out of their stuffy, cramped apartments. You all generously helped last summer by providing backpacks, school supplies and Target gift cards which gave the Moms the opportunity to buy some new clothes to go back to school with. We have 24 K - 12 students. They’ll be using the backpacks that were provided last year so we are focusing on the school supplies ( we have list by grade) and $100 Target or WalMart gift cards. Please contact Karen if you’d like to sponsor one of the kids by providing supplies and a gift card or contribute gift cards which we’ll use to help with the shopping and providing some necessary items to all the kids like underwear!!!!!! We are also getting some help from a group of Muslim women in Needham who are doing a drive for us. Enjoy the rest of the summer.

Thank you,

Karen & Hansi

Though many of St. Peter's parishioners have returned to worshiping and receiving Holy Communion in person inside our church building, we know it is not yet safe for all of us to do so. We will continue to live-stream our services so that we may include as many as possible in our offerings of praise and thanksgiving to God.

If it is not yet safe for you to worship with us in person, and you would like to receive Holy Communion and/or a share a time of prayer at your home, please contact the Parish Office.

If you would like to schedule a time during the week for private prayer in the church, please contact the church office.

St. Peter's is committed to continuing to make our worship space safe and welcoming to all. We hope to have you back with us in person as soon as doing so is the right choice for you.

Do You Have a Pastoral Need?

For pastoral support or emergencies or for any other church matter, please call the church office number (781-891-3200) and press 2 or email George. We encourage you to let us know if you are in the hospital or have some other need that calls for pastoral support.

St. Peter's Episcopal Church | 320 Boston Post Road | Weston, MA 02493

www.stpetersweston.org