From your senior warden:
At our September meeting, Shelby Welch led the vestry in a lovely devotional based on Anne Lamott’s three basic kinds of prayer: “help, thanks, and wow.” Most often, when we pray, she explained, we are either asking for assistance in coping with the slings and arrows that life throws at us, or we are thanking God for the help we have already received, or we are expressing joy and awe at the wonder of creation.
I got to thinking about how we don’t always get what we want (wasn’t there a song about that once?). That “not getting” can make the “thanks” part of the equation harder to come by. In Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, he urges us to “be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you.” These days, what with wars, school shootings, political unrest, poverty and oppression here and abroad, the heart can be stubbornly unthankful. Fortunately, church can help melt the ice.
Because we have so many things to be thankful for! High on my list is the presence of younger people stepping up to take an active leadership role in our ministries. The entire Blindspot group deserves mentioning—they are active among themselves, creating an energy that radiates out like rain on dry ground; they are hosting coffee hour; they have volunteered to direct the games for our upcoming Family Night (September 21st!); they are active in stewardship; and they are active in Keep/Watch training (a church-based suicide prevention program). They are the next-generation leaders of St. Gregory the Great, and it is a great blessing to have them.
Two younger Gregorians, in particular, deserve to be singled out: Austin Baeckeroot has agreed to train as our new Treasurer once Les House’s term is up, and Everett Krause has agreed to take over the reins of the Finance Committee when Jeff Welch steps down. Austin and Everett joined the Finance Committee at their most recent meeting and are already contributing to the committee’s deliberations. When you see Austin and Everett at church, be sure to say “thank you”—they are ensuring that the church’s resources remain in good hands.
By the way, be sure to also thank Les and Jeff every time you see them. They, along with Jane Hudson, helped guide us through COVID by agreeing to serve extra terms (Jane as Senior Warden). That was a rough passage, but we are continuing to recover, thanks to their leadership and, of course, Mother Nikki’s.
As we enter the final weeks of our Stewardship Campaign for the 2025 year, I also want to express thankfulness for the parish as a whole. Your past generosity has enabled us to continue in our many missions. I’m hopeful that in my next report, I can announce even more positions filled.
Finally, I want to highlight the work of just one more of our many ministries. Pastoral Care, headed by Rhonda Packer with Gail Eilers and Lane Norton acting as vestry liaisons, has been quietly sending out cards of consolation and well wishes, transporting people who need assistance, sending meals to those who are bereaved or otherwise incapacitated, and keeping in touch with those for whom a friendly hello can mean the world. Under their compassionate umbrella, Threads of Prayer continues to knit prayed-over garments and the Men’s Group remains active, with 35 contacts just this last month. I feel comforted just knowing how well these folks are doing love.
That’s it for this time. Be well, everyone, and remember to ask for help, give thanks, and take a moment to appreciate our strange and wonderful world.
God’s peace,
Mark Richardson
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