Dear friends,
During weeks like this, I find myself feeling both grateful for the community that we share at St. John’s, and ever more called upon to share the gifts of our community with those often in deeper need. Upon hearing the news this week of the murder of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim—a young couple who worked for the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C.—I was reminded of two things. First, that hatred, violence, and evil are ever present in our world, and in often unanticipated ways even when we think we have a grasp of how our world works. And second, the importance, therefore, of being thankful for the good things we do have, and to consider, then, how we might put that love and faith into action in purposeful and compassionate ways.
Indeed, I have been reminded in recent weeks of some of the more fragile ministries that we already seek to nurture. I spent more time with our Sunday School and Creation Care ministries, both of which, though thriving, are always in need of deeper attentiveness and support in order to continue growing. I am very much looking forward to our Rogation Sunday Eucharist this week, where our prayers for own sacred spaces alert us to the needs of the wider world. Our Free. ministry was given another valuable grant which will enable us to address further those whose immediate needs are often profoundly overlooked. While it is a very obvious celebration, even our annual SummerFest gathering falls on Pentecost this year, the day we remember what it means for disciples to be called by the Holy Spirit to a greater purpose, and with the ability to speak new languages and break down barriers. Even our social gatherings at St. John’s are opportunities for deeper spiritual growth.
As we move into this new week and gather for worship once more, I pray that we all have the opportunity to find ways of giving thanks for what is good. But then to lift our eyes to the world and ask how our inner community life, even our personal inner life, might draw us outwards to our neighbor. Indeed, at this time, we remember in our prayers all those who suffer in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
And so, friends, what’s important to you? And how might that be a gift to someone else? Please join me in praying for Yaron and Sarah, members of one of Devon’s and my former D.C. parishes (Ascension and St. Agnes) and, while we may not all know them personally, may we share with them and their beloved our prayers, which, in the end, unite us all in peace and in the heart of God.
With prayers and thanksgiving,
Ed.
The Rev. Edward Thornley
Rector of The Episcopal Parish of St. John the Evangelist