Dear St. John’s,
It has brought me great joy to serve as your Interim Sabbatical Rector and to have had the chance to get to know many of you over these past weeks. I’ve been reminded of the primary role that community engagement plays in the life of a parish. The energy and passion that so many of you have for St. John’s and the ministries that extend beyond the walls of this community is truly palpable. I regularly leave this place—not just on Sundays—feeling inspired by the deep commitment and care that so many of you have for loving each other and the world. I’m truly grateful and feel the presence of the Holy Spirit at work among us.
Sunday mornings bring the outward facing sides of parish life together with our worship, music, and the chance to visit and catch up with one another. What has equally inspired me—although less visible—are the inward facing ministries of our community’s life. I’ve watched members of the Altar Guild gather on Saturday mornings to thoughtfully prepare the hosts, wine, chalice and patens (plates) used in our worship, or the Flower Guild members who went out of their way to check in with me to see if there’s a way to bring the beauty of flowers into spaces of grief or, conversely, times of joy. I’ve sat with staff members through meetings and conversations, doing the vital work of communicating clearly and coordinating with the countless people and points of engagement through which we live and breathe as a faith community. The list goes on and on, and while it’s not exhaustive, it is representative of the many hands that participate in the St. John’s community. These acts of service are at the heart of our faith community and evidence of the Holy Spirit’s grace and love among us. The life of your parish has been stewarded by countless “St. Johnians” over the years whose quiet and faithful service to your community shepherds us from one Sunday to the next. Over time, this pattern of Gospel-centered faithfulness bears the fruit of God-centered energy, vitality, and action both within and beyond these walls.
I was heartened to learn late this spring that my dear chaplain colleague from National Cathedral School, Dr. Allison Harmon, would also be serving here at St John’s starting this summer as a parish intern. This is part of her parish engagement as she discerns Holy Orders for Priesthood in the Diocese of Maryland (see her article below for further details). Those in church this Sunday will have the privilege of hearing Allison preach, and over the coming months, get to know this extraordinary person of faith who brings light and joy to everyone she meets. I’m thrilled for her to join alongside you during this time.
I do believe it’s the work of the Holy Spirit to gather the gifts of our community and offer them up into God’s hands to create something greater than you or I could ask or imagine. I think of it as being invited to act as agents of God’s grace and love. I see your gifts at work among us, St. John’s, and am grateful to join alongside you during this summer time. May we all feel the blessings of this season.
See you in Church -
Eva