Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:4-7

It is with sorrow that this article will be my final one for the parish Scribe.  The past eight years have been a wonderful experience of learning and growth.  All of you have been my family (and I will consider you always my family) – providing nurture, love, and care.  As I said one evening, “I couldn’t have asked for a better first call!”  God has blessed me well during this time. 

May God’s blessings be upon you in the weeks and months ahead.  Trust that God in Christ will be with you.  Do not lose hope.  Love one another, as Christ loves you.  Let the Holy Spirit guide you.  Share God’s grace in all that you say and do! 

My final words of encouragement follow a pattern of three “P’s:”

1.      Patience – Have patience with the work of the Holy Spirit and with one another.  We are human; we want things to happen in our time.  Yet we live in God’s time.  God will be at work directing, guiding, and providing wisdom for your ministry.  God will open the door to reveal His divine plan.  When we pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done…,” we trust that God’s kingdom is coming and his will is being done, but we also pray it will come to us.  I encourage you to place your trust and faith in God’s work.  Then extend patience towards one another.  There may be times such as these that you may become frustrated or be filled with despair.  Maybe you will see these feelings in others.  Be patient with one another as you come to terms with your grief and find your place as you transition through leadership roles.  Always remember to forgive, to receive forgiveness, and to reconcile to one another.    

2.      Presence – Be present with one another.  If there is someone who is sick among you, reach out to them by sending a card, making a phone call, or asking if you can visit.  If there is a person or family who has been absent for some time, reach out to them.  And share your hospitality with one another.  Continue to find times to gather around meals and fellowship.  Extend invitations to persons who are a part of the parish and to those who are not.  Shine your presence into the community through your ministry and mission.  Bring the presence of Christ to all! 

3.      Prayer – Paul said it best, “but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”  Don’t forget to pray.  Pray on your own; pray when you are gathered together.  In your prayers, remember how God has blessed you already and continues to bless you each day.  Don’t be hesitant to take your requests to God and to share those petitions with one another. For prayer brings peace… peace leaves us open to the Holy Spirit… and the Holy Spirit keeps our hearts and minds grounded in Christ. 

Blessings and Love in Christ – Pastor Maureen