“May your kingdom come.
May your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)
Dear People of St. David’s,
This past weekend we celebrated the Rite of Confirmation at our 10 a.m. worship service in the Chapel. We celebrated thirty-one youth and adults who made a deeper commitment to their faith through confirmation or reception into The Episcopal Church. As preacher and celebrant of that service, we were visited by a guest bishop, the Rt. Rev. Barry Howe. As a bishop, he has served in both the Diocese of West Missouri and the Diocese of Southwest Florida. However, the more interesting piece of his resume is that 57 years ago this month, he began his ministry as a priest right here at St. David’s! 57 years ago!!! I can’t stop thinking about this miraculous connection.
In Devon’s clergy letter last week, she talked about how, “we are connected to an intricate weave of people and faith communities across The Episcopal Church.” There is no better example than the ministry of Bishop Howe. His first call out of seminary in 1967 was to serve as curate (assisting priest) here. He would go on to serve this faithful community for four years before being called to multiple congregations in Florida and Massachusetts. Then he was called to be a bishop in The Episcopal Church.
When speaking with Bishop Howe, he expressed his gratitude for having served in this community and how it prepared him to serve others. How fitting for a confirmation Sunday. When we are raising folks in the church to make a mature commitment to God, we are also sending them out to make God known to others. Our hope is that we have laid a strong foundation for them to share the love of God to wherever they may go next. How cool is it that we get to be a part of it?
We are active members in the faith lives of those around us. It’s an important job. Whether it is newcomers who walk into church on a Sunday morning, future confirmands, or the people sitting next to you in the pew, we as the community of St. David’s are responsible for helping love and nurture them. How we act, love, and care for one another is crucial! When we lead with love, and genuinely care about the well-being of those in our church, we are modeling the beloved community which Christ had envisioned, the Kingdom of God here on earth. You never know where these folks may go and spread the love of God that they witnessed while being at St. David’s. Who knows? Maybe one day that person might become a bishop!
See you all in church!
Blessings,
The Rev. Thomas Szczerba
Associate Rector
Published June 20, 2024