Saints

One thing the life of the church teaches me, and puts before me weekly (even daily) is that we are not alone. In our living: times of birth, joys and struggles, and at our death, I believe we are not alone. We are with God. We are with each other in this life. And we are also with the promise and faith of faithful servants passed. With this in mind, I am encouraged in devotional readings that pray ancient prayers and songs. And I am blessed to participate in celebrations of life—like August’s gathering to give thanks for Madge Cooney. I believe and celebrate that this faith we practice is always received and given, growing and changing and thriving in all times and places. Faith doesn’t happen alone. And we are not alone. This has come to fruition for me in many ways as a Lutheran, including: • I was happy to be ordained as a minister on July 25, as a celebration of the feast day of the Apostle James. • I approach All Saint’s Day (November) with reverence and a thankful, connected heart. Ok, so what? Well, I looked at “saint’s days” on the calendar for September I saw many important, inspiring folks whose celebrations might help tell the story that we are not alone in faith! We celebrate some saints, as Lutherans, and they have a day to remember on the calendar; and the list of those for September have inspired me to tell their stories—the lifting up of Peter Claver, John Chrysostom, Hildegard of Bingen, Dag Hammarskjöld, the Apostle Matthew, and more. So, look for these sto-ries this September, in worship and in our communications. And let us lift up that the themes of “Saint’s Days” are momentum for our lives as the church today. When we proclaim on Sundays that we “join their unending hymn,” it’s because we are singing the song—singing a new song—with our voices, to our world, in our way, and with God’s Spirit that never leaves us alone. Maybe this will ring true to you, helping you feel connected. Or maybe it’s another spiritual practice for you—that’s ok too! But come and share and grow and let’s ask God to move us to tell our sto-ries too. Together in grace, + Pastor Shaun