My heart is full as I write to say thank you for 16 years of being part of this community and more than eight years of being blessed to serve on staff. I am grateful to God for the daily miracles and good work that He has done through all of us. I am grateful for Fr. Dan’s kindness, wisdom and vision...for his way of being what he challenges us all to be—the presence of Christ to each other. I am grateful to have worked with an amazing group of people—all hard-working, faith-filled people, who share their gifts and talents in service to all of us. And I am grateful to so many of you: my CHRP sisters; friends I have worked with in ministries; Friends of REAP, the Baking Club, CARITAS, Richmond Friends of the Homeless, Prison Ministry, Respect Life, Appalachia, and so many more. And I am very grateful for the treasure of my Walking With Purpose ladies.
I also want to thank Juanita Walker for two gifts she has given me. I hope that by sharing, you will receive the same gifts. The first is Juanita's encouragement to focus on gratitude—to take time each day to write down what you grateful for—to notice—to reflect on God's blessings. I thought I did that, but when I made that my focus, when I kept a gratitude journal, it changed everything. The other gift Juanita shared was her love for the writings of Macrina Weiderkehr. I share with you one of my favorites (where I think she's speaking to each of us).
Hidden Dream (from
Seasons of Your Heart | Macrina Wiederkehr)
I am told there are folks
who refuse to dream
because their dreams
have been so seemingly shattered
like dreams that die at birth
And so they hide their dreams
in small corners of their hearts
and pretend they aren't there.
But as for me
I am almost sure
that in the Body of Christ
that we call the Church
we have the power
to help each others dreams come true.
For in dark moments
when light has hidden its face for awhile
we are the stars
meant to shine for each other
and we do!
More than anything else
I would like to remind you
that the dreams hidden within you
have the power
to become a gospel.
And it is as important for you to know that
as it is for the sun to shine
or the rain to fall
or a heart to beat,
because only if we believe in the gospel
that lives inside
those hidden dreams in us
can the strangers we walk with
afford to dream.
Together, we have been blessed to serve. God has done good things through us. And there is more to be done. I am grateful to have been part of this community. I will hold you in my heart and prayers, always. And I will be back to visit.
A few dear friends have created an opportunity for us to glorify God and celebrate His goodness together. I hope you can join us. It is going to be a special evening, even more special if you are there. Praise God and thank you!
Food, Fellowship, Music, Prayer & Praise Saturday | August 12 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM Parish Hall (Music & Worship led by my good friend, Sandy Harless)