Dear Sisters and Brothers at Christ Church,
I'm writing this note on the morning my kids returned to school (7th and 8th grade) and rain fell in Alameda. Hallelujah and glory be! Both events feel like miracles. Covid protocols at the kids' school are much more modest than those of the past two years. I hope this means that as we look towards autumn we're all fumbling towards a new normal. We need some more miracles around here. I say that with a grain of salt, since all of my recent predictions about future events have been way, way off. I wouldn't make a very good prophet. But still, I find reason for hope! Covid cases aren't nearly as serious as they once were, the vaccination rate in our Parish is very high, and the ambient anxiety feels lower to me.
As we turn the corner from summertime to the school year, from corn-on-the-cob towards pumpkin spice, I'm hopeful for the change and growth to come at Christ Church. Sunday school and the choir will be back soon (September 18). Last night our vestry approved our expanded partnership with Head Start, so that we can help support more low-income children in our community. Soon I'm going to start meeting with an executive coach to help me grow as a manager of staff, volunteers and time. And I hope to begin a season of discernment at Christ Church in which together we ask ourselves where our own joy and the community's needs overlap.
Hang in there, good people. We have a resilient church, the Spirit of God is with us, and we've got great work to do together. May God bless you in this time of fruitful change.
Peace,
Stephen