The Living Growing Body of Christ: Much to Celebrate on Grace Street
My Dear People,
There are many ways to talk about who we are: We are the community of the New Testament, as our Catechism says. We are the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church, as the Creed says. And we are the Body of Christ, as many of the epistles say, with Christ as the head of the body, and we as the members of the body. In the Letter to the Colossians, we are urged to "[hold] fast to the head, from whom the whole body, nourished and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows with a growth that is from God."
The spiritual union we share, as represented in the mystical image of the Body of Christ, comes to mind as we think about all that is happening in our midst, as the community that is St. Paul's Church. We have much to celebrate, as we are nourished and held together in Christ, and, indeed, as we grow with a growth that is, unmistakably, from God. Some (but not all, by any means) of the things I am most excited about follow!
- On Sunday, October 17, we will celebrate Generosity Sunday, kicking off our annual St. Paul's Generosity Campaign, with Leigh Hulcher and Tom Smith as co-chairs. Last year we reached our goals of over 300 pledges, 50 of which were new, representing over $780,000. I have faith that, together, God will lead us even further into the generous life.
- Minister of Music David Sinden brings new energy, beauty, and creativity to our music ministry--as well as new choir members! Last month was a Choral Eucharist; this month will bring a Requiem Eucharist (10/31, 11:15 a.m.); and we look forward to full-flowered Advent and Christmas Lessons & Carols services.
- This Eyes on Richmond series, our 13th, is already off to a strong start, and I especially look forward to hearing our own Buford Scott talk about "50 Years on Main Street" (10/22, 12:30 p.m.).
- We are preparing for Elevation 2.0, the next round of action plans to follow from last year's parish-wide visioning process, "Such Great Heights." With Vestry members Anne Rusbuldt and Don Switz as co-chairs, I have been working with a team of parishioners and we will soon present the Vestry with a set of proposals for Elevation 2.0, wide-ranging action plans for the calendar year 2011.
- As you will read about in Kate's article, this January a new pastoral care initiative, Caring Companions, will begin. It is an opportunity for anyone to learn more about what it means to truly care for one another and a natural preparation to share in our pastoral care ministries.
- Since spring we have been exploring an expansion of our small groups offerings. This fall, Bryan Appel and I will lead a small group for men, and Leslie Choplin and Kate will lead one for people interested in leading a small group. Then, in January, we will roll out our first round of "Covenant Groups," possibly focused around a theological subject, a prayer practice, or a certain book.
- This past spring we went through a positive and productive process of refreshing our 9:00 service, which began with a series of open sessions, where all were invited to join the conversation and discernment. Just a few days ago, we began an analogous process for our 11:15 service. Once again we trust that the Spirit will lead us into a spiritual refreshment and renewal of our worship.
- All ministries fall under the auspices of one board or another, which oversees and coordinates our shared life together. For some time our Parish Life Board was in hiatus. I am happy to report that our Parish Life Board is up and running again. It is all about belonging and caring, helping ensure that, as a parish, we continue to do all that we can do to deepen and grow in our sense of community.
- Shaping Public Discourse was one of the themes in our visioning process last year, as we explored how St. Paul's is called to engage the moral questions of our day and of our community. In recent months a committee has formed to extend and refine that exploration.
- With the approach of the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War & Emancipation, conversations are underway asking what the Church, specifically, has to say in such a moment as this, that is, at this point in our history: How might we find new and better ways to talk about our past? How might this be a moment for reconciliation? I have met with leaders from the University of Richmond and with local clergy as we prayerfully consider the opportunity that the Sesquicentennial presents. Also, our next Lenten Preaching Series (Brian McLaren, Tom Long, Diana Butler Bass and others) will connect with the Sesquicentennial and reconciliation.
- For over 30 years, St. Paul's has been part of Downtown Community Ministries (DCM), five downtown churches working together in witness to the Gospel and for the good of Richmond. This November, the Sunday before Thanksgiving, the DCM Thanksgiving Service returns, and I am confident that more good things are to follow.
- In 2011, parishioner David White and I will lead a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land open to all the people of St. Paul's. While plans are being made, if you're interested, let David or me know.
- Our Downtown Mission Team continues to explore ways for St. Paul's to reach out to and connect with our new downtown neighbors. This summer's Mary Oliver Poetry Reading, at the Urban Farmhouse, was a happy success, and we look forward to the next offering, possibly something musical.
- And I can't end my list without acknowledging the labor of love by Dick Carlton and others in preparing a whole new set of nametags for the whole St. Paul's family. They're now available in the fabulously artistically-renovated nametag box (thank you, Margaret Benson!). One more way to welcome; one more way to deepen community!
So, indeed, the Body of Christ, at St. Paul's Church, continues to be nourished and held together in Christ, and we continue to grow with a growth that is truly from God! What can we say but thanks be to God!
Your brother in Christ,
Wallace+
Pictured: Homecoming Sunday celebration; photo by Bruce Yoder
Originally published in the October 2010 Epistle newsletter.
