Dear People of St. David’s,
I pray that you and yours are well and that you enjoyed a marvelous Christmas celebration. Christmas at St. David’s was magnificent! Thanks to all who served and made the worship so beautiful; and all who joined in-person as well as online. We are a community touched by God’s grace. When we use our gifts well and come together to worship and serve, we are changed. We become part of God changing the world.
As we begin this new calendar year, make plans to change the course of our lives in some areas, and renew our lives in other areas, many of us have made resolutions. We have looked at our lives to see where we might improve and are shedding those thoughts and practices that keep us from being our best selves. It’s a struggle, I know, to try and make changes since our habits become so ingrained, but just resolving to do better and be better is a great first step. It’s what Jesus is talking about when He calls us to let our lights shine so that others see the goodness in us and are touched by who we are and what we’re about.
Thankfully, as Christians, we are not trying to change on our own. We have a God who graces us with presence, power, and love. We have a God who promises to come into our lives to encourage, inspire, and empower us. A God who will help us change and grow in that grace as we open our hearts and minds and make the physical effort to spend time with God. Oh, we can try to do this on our own, but few of us have the strength and the willpower to make it happen. And why should we? God is always ready and willing to draw near and help us to become our best selves when we are ready and willing to spend time with God.
My hope and prayer for all of us this year is that we will take some time each day for God. I pray that all of us will take an honest look at our lives to see where we might make that time. Sundays of course, but also over the course of the week so that we can make room to grow in God’s grace and love. Feel free to start small, because I know that when you start, God will come and share grace and love. When you open yourself and God comes, your life and all our lives will be more fulfilling, gracious, loving, and peace-filled.
Happy Epiphany!
Grace and Peace,
The Rev. W. Frank Allen
Rector