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February 2006
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him
(Psalm 37:7 NIV)
Dear All Saints'
Family,
I write this
immediately after the annual meeting where we celebrated what God has
done to strengthen and grow our congregation and after our discussion of
the challenges that face us in the coming year. I thank the Lord often
for all of you and am amazed at the dedication to the work that God has
accomplished through the people of All Saints’. As I stated at the
annual meeting, I truly believe we have turned the corner. We have a
renewed understanding and commitment to stewardship and what it means to
support the ministries God has called us to. We are turning the corner
toward the goal of reaching out to the community and world around us.
Many are committed to sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ trough
evangelism and outreach. Even more of us are committed to growing in our
faith by participating in the Christian formation offerings we provide.
I believe we have turned the corner and are well on our way to a
promising and prosperous future.
At the annual
meeting we focused our discussion on the two issues that challenge us in
our future. We talked openly and honestly about our financial situation
and shared ways that we can balance our budget and assure that the
mission and ministry of All Saints’ will continue for generations to
come. We also spoke openly and honestly about the decisions facing the
Episcopal Church as we deal with our place in the Anglican Communion and
the Christian church in general. The truth of the matter is that we do
not know what the future holds. Our response to the issues facing our
denomination will require us to “be still before the Lord and wait
patiently for him.” We do not know how the General Convention of the
Episcopal Church will respond to the call of the Anglican Communion to
return to conformity with historic teaching of the church. At this time
we do not know what options will be before us as events unfold.
In the next few
months we are called to do two things. First we are called to wait and
be patient. This is hard for most of us. Patience in the time of crisis
requires absolute trust in God that he is truly the head of the church
and is in control of its destiny. The second thing we must do is seek
God for guidance and direction. We should never make decisions of any
kind without prayerful consultation with God, seeking his will, his
guidance, and his way. The promise is that if we seek him, we will find
him, and he will direct us in the right path.
So, I thank you
all for all that you have done to fulfill the great calling to which you
have been called. And I ask your prayers for the leadership of All
Saint’s Church that we are led to right actions and right decisions as
the year unfolds.
May God’s grace
and peace be with you all.
Fr. David+
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