The Autumn Message from Father Bill
I have always particularly enjoyed the seasonal changes that happen in the autumn. The hot of summer begins to give way to cooler evening temperatures; the light gives clarity to things that I associate with this time of the year. Colors seem crisper, objects seem to have a sharper border, and it is as if my vision is miraculously better at this time of the year. I always associate this time with change. It is when school starts, a new church year is just around the corner, and here, the summer folks are leaving and there is an uncertainty of what the snow season will bring to us. Like most things in my life now, there is an excitement of what will develop and a sadness of what is passing. Perhaps this blend of expectation and sadness has always been a part of my life and it is just now that I can hold them together not avoiding one or the other, but realizing life is change, both gain and loss.
This fall has had its moments of loss. Mary Pratt died and was buried in the columbarium at God Sam. My sadness over her death is tempered by the thankfulness that her long period of waiting to die is over. She had asked me several times, “What was God waiting for?” Then, a young couple from CB came with their very sick dog who was facing additional surgery that afternoon. During the surgery, they decided to put their beloved pet down. There were other moments of personal loss, injury, and crisis that I was privileged to share with others that caused me to spend time in prayer knowing that this was a time for God to be in charge. Amidst the tears, uncertainty, heart pain, I kept asking God how best I could do/be the priest for everyone. What came to me was that I was to hold people in my heart in prayer and love and that it was not my job to make things better, or whatever, but that God was on it.
I know that God can and does take every moment and is present in every event that is frightening, painful, filled with loss, and tears. I know that his grace abounds in these times and that he uses them to his own purpose. I am reminded that in times of passing, there is a time of newness and rebirth. Sort of like my feelings about fall. If we are not blinded by our losses, disappointments and pain, we will be able to see and rejoice in what God is doing in our presence.
As a corollary God is doing great things in both congregations. We have substantial increases in attendance in both congregations. Largely these increases are due to the number of weddings and funerals that we were called upon to do this year so far. I am pleased how both congregations are identifying and carrying forth their own distinct ministries in their respective communities. God has not revealed to me where we are going but there is that sense of expectation and excitement that things are moving and changing, or perhaps, they are falling in place.
I hope that we can continue our growth in ministry and purpose in the coming months. We need to be prepared to be serious in continuing to develop our identity and purpose in our respective communities, to be prepared to address the financial needs of both congregations, and to look carefully to see the graceful presence of God at work in our lives both individually and corporately.
Blessings
Father Bill