The Rev. Drew Foisie, Vicar
They say if you want to make God laugh show God your plans. There’s deep truth to that. Just when near term and long term plans are mapped out, just when all one’s ducks are lined up in a row, just as one is taxiing out to the runway for takeoff, just as the light is about to turn green there is often a wrench thrown right into the works. (I know that was an epic mixing of metaphors, but it was kind of fun.) God has a way of keeping us on our toes and walking by faith, usually at the precise moment we’re comfortable or think we’ve got the whole thing figured out. One might call these moments ‘holy’ disruptions. Disruptions are rarely welcome, but they can be holy because they present the opportunity to see afresh that which is truly meaningful, blessed, and sacred in places we’ve grown unaccustomed to seeing them. New and healthful patterns and ways of being can sometimes emerge in moments like these, and that is holy too. This is true for the Church at large and locally, not just individuals. As the church navigates through this time all kinds of questions — important and expansive questions — begin to surface… When the church cannot gather in person for worship and the Sacraments how is the community, the Body of Christ, fed spiritually? In a time not only consequential to human health, but also economically devastating to people’s lives, how does the church support the most vulnerable? And how can churches care for their ongoing financial and temporal responsibilities by expanding giving options and encouraging support? These questions are, perhaps, just the tip of the iceberg in unique moments like the one we’re currently in. You may be able to think of others. To prayerfully consider them is, I think, an act of hope and creativity and faithfulness. I believe God is really with us right now, working though us, and leading us into new and life-giving places.
We all say and know deep down that the church is not the four walls of the building, the stained glass windows, or the steeple. It’s the people. The community of the people of God. That’s us. And I have seen the truth of that as the bishop called for churches across the diocese to close their doors. The people of St Aidan’s did not stop being the amazing people they are. I immediately witnessed phone calls and connections being made. I saw many come forward to volunteer their time to help others in any way they can. And many others to volunteer their prayers. I’ve seen people coming by the office to drop of their pledge offerings. And I’ve seen service assistants ready to be a part of experimental Facebook live service broadcasts. In short, the faithfulness of the St Aidan’s community has buoyed up my faith. I hope it has done the same for you as well.
As we move into April, churches across the diocese remain closed. Holy Week and Easter services will be “virtual” services. We will plan on offering services via Facebook live most days of Holy Week at 7:00 p.m. and at 10:00 a.m. Easter morning. If you can think of other ways worship can be expanded or offered in new, supportive ways I encourage you to share those with me. As we move forward we do so in faith, week-by-week, trusting in the God of grace to lead us, sustain us, strengthen us, and make us blessings. You are a blessing and I am grateful for your faith and ministry.
Yours In Christ,
Drew+
We all say and know deep down that the church is not the four walls of the building, the stained glass windows, or the steeple. It’s the people. The community of the people of God. That’s us. And I have seen the truth of that as the bishop called for churches across the diocese to close their doors. The people of St Aidan’s did not stop being the amazing people they are. I immediately witnessed phone calls and connections being made. I saw many come forward to volunteer their time to help others in any way they can. And many others to volunteer their prayers. I’ve seen people coming by the office to drop of their pledge offerings. And I’ve seen service assistants ready to be a part of experimental Facebook live service broadcasts. In short, the faithfulness of the St Aidan’s community has buoyed up my faith. I hope it has done the same for you as well.
As we move into April, churches across the diocese remain closed. Holy Week and Easter services will be “virtual” services. We will plan on offering services via Facebook live most days of Holy Week at 7:00 p.m. and at 10:00 a.m. Easter morning. If you can think of other ways worship can be expanded or offered in new, supportive ways I encourage you to share those with me. As we move forward we do so in faith, week-by-week, trusting in the God of grace to lead us, sustain us, strengthen us, and make us blessings. You are a blessing and I am grateful for your faith and ministry.
Yours In Christ,
Drew+
St Aidan's Episcopal Church
1318 SR532, Camano Island, WA 98282
PO Box 145, Stanwood, WA 98292
Office@StAidansCI.org
(360) 629-3969 ~ Like us on Facebook
Copyright © All rights reserved.
1318 SR532, Camano Island, WA 98282
PO Box 145, Stanwood, WA 98292
Office@StAidansCI.org
(360) 629-3969 ~ Like us on Facebook
Copyright © All rights reserved.