A NEW YEAR'S PRAYER

Dear Friends in Christ:

Several years ago I received a marvelous New Year's card from Peter and Ann, friends of mine who live here in East Aurora.  A spiral of words filled the center of the page, words like appreciate, anticipate, build, grow, create, care, challenge, listen, give, imagine, reflect, respect, share, see, speak, think, unite, delight, kindle, nurture, hope.

I remembered this card the day I accepted the Vestry’s call to serve as Interim Rector of Saint Matthias Church. The spiraling words are about new beginnings, fresh starts and I believe they capture the spirit of what I hope is happening here as we begin working and worshipping together. In the weeks that I have been with you, I have discovered signs of hope, signs of God’s presence among us. From the enthusiasm of the Rite 13 class as it planned how it could help out during Interfaith Hospitality Network week to the warm smiles of parishioners as we gather for the Eucharist on Sundays, the signs of the Spirit have been obvious. There is work to be done here in the months ahead, but it will be joyful work, work done in company with one another, work empowered by God.

When I first met with the Vestry in November, I said something which I repeated in my first sermon and which I will very likely repeat many times during the months that I will be with you. Saint Matthias Church is not a problem to be solved. It is a wonderful gift to be appreciated. In the difficult times of the past year, that reality may have been obscured for some of us. We might not have been able to see beyond the problems to the underlying reality. This community has been called together as the People of God in this place and God has poured out upon us gift after gift. We are, by God’s grace and God’s grace alone, remarkable people. We are sinners, to be sure, but redeemed sinners, in the words of the hymn, “ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven.”

When Fr. Michael became Rector of St. Matthias, he chose as his motto, "Jesus is in charge here," which is based upon Colossians 1:18. Jesus is still in charge here, but I would choose another scripture verse for us during the time of renewal that lies ahead. "Those who sowed with tears will reap with songs of joy." (Psalm 126:6)

I invite you to join me in this wonderful journey of faith in the months to come. We don’t know exactly where the journey will take us, but we have one another as companions on the way, and we travel in company with the One who is our brother and our Lord. Be assured that though the journey may be hard, it will not be dull. For, after all, God has great plans for us.

Your brother in Christ,

Daniel