Welcoming our new Assistant to the Rector, Edmund Harris

This Sunday

Christmas in July

Altar Guild: Flowers and Tea Photos

"You Name It" Photography Exhibit

"Joshua: a Parable for Today" Book Group

Next Sunday

This Sunday, join us in welcoming our new Assistant to the Rector, Edmund Harris and his partner, Michael Jaycox.

We encourage everyone to wear their nametags that day, and every Sunday, as this will help Edmund and Michael and all others, who are new to the church, get to know us much easier.

Check out the photos of Edmund and his family at his Diaconate Ordination earlier this month.

Recently, I got an email from a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Yorktown, VA named Jean. She wrote to tell me something of what it had meant to her to watch Edmund (yes, The Rev'd Edmund Harris who joins us in ministry this Sunday) grow as a Christian. She has shared ministry with him in that parish for many years. She remarked that she "saw something of all of this when I first saw him as a 5 or 6 year old." I'm not sure exactly what she meant by "all this", but I'm guessing from the context that she meant that he has gifts that she could picture him using in ordained ministry. She also said, "a lot of us are sending our love and affection to him as he starts his work with you." This all suggests to me that the parish in which he spent many formative years gave him opportunities and affirmation to become the minister God has called him to be.

This brief e-mail of support is an example of the importance of the promise we make to those who are baptized in our community. This Sunday at 10:30 we will baptize two children, Helaina Marie Casey and Florence Mary Morgan. It is tempting to think that this ritual is all about these two beautiful babies and their families on this special day, but that would really miss the point. In the baptismal liturgy each one of us is asked to renew our own baptismal covenant, reminding us that we, too, are on this pilgrimage of growing into the full stature of Christ. Just before we renew our baptismal vows we are asked this question, "Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support these persons in their life in Christ?" We respond as a community, "We will." This Sunday, we may have no idea what gifts for ministry these children have. In time, however, if we do what we say we will, our support for them in their life in Christ will shape and affirm them in powerful ways. We may see their gifts and so may they.

This Sunday, we can anticipate a celebration of welcome and new life in Christ. We welcome Edmund who comes to us newly ordained as a deacon, on a journey toward becoming a priest. Trusting in the Holy Spirit, we have chosen him and he has chosen us to offer formation together in Christ. We welcome Helaina Marie and Florence Morgan as they begin their pilgrimage of becoming Christians. This is also an opportunity for us to renew our commitment to using the gifts God has given each of us for ministry.

Jean, from Grace Episcopal Church has sent a small "tree" filled with origami cranes as a reminder of the love and support of Edmund's friends there. At Grace Church this has been used in celebrations and special liturgies and we will put it on display at the entrance of our Sanctuary. It is a fitting symbol of all we will share and celebrate in Christ this Sunday. I hope you will be a part of this.

Faithfully,
Jennifer