Dear People of St. David’s,
Some of you may or may not know that I’m obsessed with baseball. For my entire life I’ve been a rabid New York Yankees fan. There is nothing better than being in Yankee Stadium enjoying a hot dog with yellow mustard (not Dijon or spicy brown but YELLOW), listening to the smack of the ball into the catcher’s mitt, hearing the crack of the bat, and cheering after a Yankees victory. Although, my Yankees haven’t done much winning lately.
One of my favorite times of the baseball season is Opening Day; there is nothing better. The players and coaches have been preparing all offseason to build on the previous year. There is excitement about the ball club and the start of a new season brings hope into the lives of the fans, the players, and the cities they play in. Don’t tell Frank, but on Opening Day this year I watched the first couple innings of the Yankees game on my office computer. I just can’t stay away from the hope and excitement of a new season of baseball!
I feel the same way about the month of September here at St. David’s. I couldn’t wait until the Kick-off Cookout! I was so excited to see those who were traveling over the summer. I was eager to meet the new faces of people who might have been entering our building for the first time, and I couldn’t wait to eat my hot dog with yellow mustard prepared by our amazing Men’s Fellowship team. Then, this past weekend, we started up our Christian Formation for all ages. It was a packed house! It was great to see the chapel full of wonderful people and music. St. David’s Hall was flowing with participants in our Adult Forum, and children joining in our youth education.
There is nothing quite like the hope and excitement that exists at a place like St. David’s at this time of the year. I’m eager to hear and see what all of you might want to get involved in or how you might encounter the love of God in this vibrant community. I encourage all of you to discern where God might be calling you in this new season of St. David’s. Maybe you are called to participate in the choir, or join our Newcomer Class in October. Or, you may want to explore the Bible a little bit more and are interested in one of our six Bible study groups.
It’s a time to plant, heal, build up, laugh, and it’s certainly a time to dance! I can’t wait to see where God is leading you. No matter what you may do in this new season, I’m so grateful you have decided to do it in this Community of Love.
Many blessings,
The Rev. Thomas Szczerba, Jr.
Associate Rector