Dear members of Calvary and friends,
Most of you will receive my letter concerning our fall stewardship program. In it we speak of the church being like a forest with our roots entwined as we support each other. Earlier this year I heard an interview with a native American biologist who spoke about the root systems of aspen trees and how it seems clear they communicate with each other underground, providing nutrients and support to each other. It is a very fitting image of what the Church should be. As I look back on the past few months, I see this lived out here at Calvary. We have had sickness, the death of Don, who was involved in so many ways not just here but throughout the community. We have been blessed by a number of visitors and guests. As we move from our summer routines into the fall, we will see more pews filled and some longtime members who have been away are likely to find people sitting where they usually do. Our youth program should make many congregations envious thanks to the work of Miss Alyse, Miss Debbie, and Miss Avery, not to mention all the parents who support our ministry with young people. The staff at the Cathedral Domain were bragging to my wife about the large number of young people we sent to camp this summer. We also have several adults who are planning on attending the adult camp there the end of next month. Our Vestry meets monthly to oversee the temporal matters of the church and to consider how we can reach out into the community to spread the Good News of Jesus to others. Our worship is enhanced by our choir and organists, readers, acolytes, ushers, altar guild, Deacon Tina, and all who join in for worship. And then there are all those who work behind the scenes; Liz and the Sunday morning bible study, our prayer warriors who constantly pray for all who are sick, in hospitals or rehab, Andy and Dave who work to make the gardens and grounds look so cared for, Sonya and all who help to make coffee hour and our monthly birthday meals a time to share and catch up with what is going on in our lives, Brenda who spends several hours each week serving as our treasurer, Dave who picks up bulletins that have been left in the pews after the services, Rebecca and all who help to prepare the Bags of Love. And then there is our staff, Tammy, Mona, and Cade who I have been able to call on whether it is a workday or not when information is needed. We all can see the beautiful leaves and fruit and flowers, but without the roots, they like the fig tree on the road would wither away. At times though, it is too easy to see the church as an isolated oak tree, towering, but seeming to depend only on itself. St. Paul speaks of the church this way; we are many parts, but one body, none more or less important than any other. With the loss of our brother Don, we have a vacant seat on the vestry that should be filled. At the Vestry meeting this past Sunday it was mentioned how important the coffee time is after the service, how wonderful the coffee and tea event last Sunday was. One member mentioned how in visiting another church, their coffee time is often provided by two or more families or individuals who join together, one providing perhaps a veggie tray while others may simply bring cookies or little Debbie type cakes. It’s like the aspen roots, intertwined supporting each other, feeding each other. While there are many who volunteer, much of the work often falls on a few. As we move towards cooler weather, as leaves begin to fall on the ground exposing our bark, I ask all to consider how we might find ways to share the work both on Sundays and in the community as we go forth into the world.
Peace,
Bryant+
