Hey Church!
A short list of things I wanted to communicate this week:
1. I love you all. Seriously. It’s a joy to be your Priest and every Sunday I am filled up by your faith and hope and love in our community. I celebrate what God is doing among us to create in us the capacity to love and live well in the Kingdom of God.
2. After-Church Potluck! I would like to get a few on the schedule, once a month or so, between now and when the weather turns cold. Essentially we just need some folks who are willing and able to host after church. Typically we all bring something to eat and share, and I can work with the host on how/what to communicate about particulars. In the past these have been excellent avenues to connect and meet others in the church. Email me if you’re interested in chatting more about it. Would love to do one an early as August! 🙂
3. Join a team! If you’ve been at The Table for a bit (a few months) and are looking for ways to be involved and engaged more in our community there are lots of ways to participate. Mallory Ruark, who is our Lay Ministry Coordinator and on our Preaching Team, coordinates teams for us. If you’re looking to get involved send her an email. In particular, our Altar Guild could use some love right now (set up/tear down altar for Sunday).
4. A final word on “Good Shepherds” from Sunday’s sermon: Good shepherds aren’t perfect. I ran out of time to discuss on Sunday how often my personality or speech has created problems for me. I tend to joke around and be silly (you’ve probably noticed) and in the past my sarcasm or silliness has caused hurt. Usually unintentionally, but nonetheless: it hasn’t been experienced as good or kind or helpful to those who were on the receiving end of it. I mention this to say that when we talk about good shepherds we also need to talk about how we create a community of accountability and justice. I’m committed – we are committed as a church – to walking in integrity through conflict and peacemaking whenever necessary. Good shepherds are still human, and need to grow and mature as humans as one expression of being good!
Thanks for being the kind of church where we can grow together. Love you all and praying for us all today.
In Christ,
Fr. Matt
