Mtr Taylor Devine

Dear Friends,

I watched the Annual Meeting Reports yesterday and found myself so grateful for the past year in this particular community, and rather amazed! Having a review of the work that the Church has been engaged in - gathering in such varied ways, continuing in worship, fellowship, growth, and service - helps me to orient myself. It has been a lot to adjust to, with all the changes that come with life together generally, and in the midst of covid especially. The sense of time that made sense to me a few years ago feels different now. At the same time, the flexibility and kindness shared in this time has been inspiring, truly. I’ll admit that I’m glad not to be making a zoom presentation this year for the Annual Meeting, and to know that in the coming week I can have the joy of in person meetings, the convenience of hybrid meetings, the miracle of zoom, and of course the age-old miracle of phone meetings, along with in-person opportunities for worship. There is a lot for which to be grateful. At the same time all of the different modes it can be distracting. The reality is that yesterday I participated in a zoom call while grocery shopping for a youth event and taking care of my daughter - it was right on the edge of ridiculous. Amazing technologically, but not wise every time I take a zoom call, or go grocery shopping!

Please don’t skip to the end of the presentations but here is a teaser - Fr Robert’s address contains the phrase “The Cross is steady while the world turns” and this was a gift to hear. This is the wisdom I’ve been witness to in this community over the past few years. There are frantic seasons, but the Cross stands firm. There are overwhelming considerations to be taken seriously, but the Cross is where we turn to for direction. There are seasons where being so hybrid is a technological miracle that makes both work and care responsibilities doable in a beautiful way, and still we look to the Cross for our ultimate meaning and calling. Our Daily Office Readings this morning seem to be all about who it is that we say God is, and how God’s living reality can hold all of this while inviting us into God’s own steadiness.

In Christ,
Mtr Taylor

You can find the Reports here!