From the Rector

Dear Friends in Christ,

As I noted last week, we are beginning a time of transition as Fr Peter begins his new ministry. We do not have plans to immediately fill his position but will rearrange the work of the clergy staff to try to cover what Peter did while recognizing that we will not be able to cover it all.

Parish ministry is a set of competing goods—there are so many good ways for us to spend our time and resources. Each person thinks that what they care about most is, of course, the best way to spend time and resources.

Some folks want us to spend more on grounds maintenance. Me too. Some want us to spend more on outreach. Me too. Some want us to spend more on music. Me too. Some want us to spend more on reaching the community with ads or the like. Me too. Some want us to have more sextons to cover facility needs. Me too. Some want us to have more office staff so calls never go unanswered. Me too. Some want us to have more guest speakers. Me too. Some want us to fund more mission trips. Me too. Some want better technology. Some want more thorough bulletins. Some want a new website. Some want new signs.

The list is, quite literally, endless. It’s full of good things.

As we assess what the budget will allow in the weeks ahead, I find myself asking not what can we do but what must we do?

What can Saint Philip’s do that no one else can?

It starts with preaching the Gospel. Proclaiming the Good News is not something that other non-profits will do. This happens in the context of the liturgy but, more importantly, in the context of our daily lives. That proclamation begins with simple choices we make day in and day out.

What the Church will do or can do depends, almost entirely, on what we are willing to do or not do. Even more crucially, what we are willing to do is shaped by our faith in the redeeming work of Christ in us and through the work of the Church. If we see that work as crucial—and as something only we can do—then it changes our priorities and, more importantly, our capacity.

Luckily, for us, God deals with what’s possible—not what’s probable. What’s possible here is limitless. This is a place filled with possibility because each and every person here is filled with possibility. The joy and wonder of the Christian journey is that God delights in our striving, our reaching, and our hope in and for him.

There are so many concrete signs, measurable markers, of growth and life. It’s for that reason that Karrie and I are pledging $18,000 this year.

My check engine light is on in my car (and doesn’t want to stay off) and I’ve put off getting the sensor fixed or buying a new car. We’ve gotten half a renovation completed and I’d love to pay for the rest to get done. We’ve postponed some trips to balance budgets as inflation has hit everybody. Despite all that, and more, Karrie and I have decided that this community is worth it to us.

If you haven’t yet made your pledge, please do. Pledges are what make it possible for the parish to decide about the many competing “goods” to address—and how we plan for our community’s future.

Karrie and I believe in what’s possible here. We see it in our kids, in you, and in our future together as a faith community. I’m so grateful for all of you who see what only the church can do, dream of what may be, and choose to be part of a future filled with possibility.

Yours in Christ,

—Fr Robert