From the Rector

EDITOR’S NOTE: Part of the Ingathering Sunday liturgy invites people to approach the altar and leave their pledge forms to be blessed. For those who already submitted pledge forms, every pew will have cards (that are symbolic representations of pledges) that can be brought to the altar.

Dear Friends in Christ,

We will mark All Saints Sunday this coming Sunday, November 5. It is also our pledge ingathering Sunday (and our goodbye to Father Peter). I’ve always thought it appropriate that ingathering and All Saints are marked together.

Giving doesn’t make you a Saint.

But Saints are never those who don’t give.

Our whole common life is built upon the lives and witness of the Saints. Every word of scripture comes to us from them. Acts of mercy, forgiveness, and love are their legacy. Great buildings and small missions and whole nations have been built by them.

Hymns we sing. Prayers we pray. Liturgies we celebrate. Artwork we revere. Anthems and requiems and motets stir and inspire us.

The columbarium garden. The fishpond garden. The Altar. The artwork. The bell, the tower, the labyrinth, and the quiet garden. The organ, the baptismal font, and the candlesticks.

Everything we enjoy together. Every morsel of Bread we take on Sundays. Every sip of Wine. Everything we do, are, and aspire to be as the Church is given to us because Saints gave. Saints sacrificed and followed the call of Christ to love.

Saints give.

Giving doesn’t make you a Saint.

But Saints have never been those who don’t give.

Strive to be a Saint!

Yours in Christ,

—Fr Robert