Faith @ Fifth and Juliana

As most of you know, this coming Sunday will be Leigh’s and my last Sunday at Trinity. Fr. Jack has asked that I celebrate and preach at both services, which I will be delighted to do, as it will give me a chance to say goodbye to the congregation properly. I want to thank him for this gracious request.

I write this during a break from packing my office. I am surrounded by boxes of books, pictures, certificates, diplomas, a dog puppet in a Canterbury cap, and lots of other things. They are part of who I am. I brought some with me, I gained some here and I gave a few things away. That is much like my time here with you. I came with some things and I am leaving with more still—having left a lot with you, I hope. It is my prayer that whatever I leave with you has helped you to know our Lord a little better.

There are too many people to thank properly for the support that Leigh and I have had here—so no names, lest I leave someone out. You are a wonderful congregation and we have walked this path together prayerfully. I do want to thank the wardens and vestry, my lay committee, the members of the church who take part in leading the Sunday service (in prayer, in scripture readings, by singing, and in every other way), the altar guild, the acolyte corps, the Times staff, all the Episcopal clergy of the Mid-Ohio Valley (the Wednesday noon clergy Bible study), all the participants in classes I have had a hand in teaching, the person who kept my computer running, and the young people of Trinity for the help you have been to me.

Now, if I have the format for these goodbyes right, it is my chance to give advice for Trinity in the future! How often these turn into “parting shots,” where those leaving burn bridges. However, I am not going to do that. There are no bridges I want to burn, no shots God is calling me to fire. The fact that God has called Leigh and me to go to Varina means that God has called us to leave Trinity. It is not for me to try to help lead you into your future. You all know that already and would not let me do so, but I want you to know that I know it, too!

My one piece of advice is simply this: focus on the cross and the One who died there. Focus on Jesus Christ, in Whose Resurrection we all find life and the answers we seek. You have some very important questions to answer in the next few months. The roof situation and the calling of your next rector come to mind as two examples. Again, I say focus on the cross. Do all your searching with the Father, Son and Spirit—not as names used to open and close the sessions and discussions, but as an active participant. Changes are hard; these decisions will shape this parish forever, so go into the discussions with God. You have a search committee, a restoration committee, a vestry, and an interim rector who care deeply about Trinity Episcopal Church. I believe they are open to where God is calling you now. Keep them in your prayers during the next few months. Stand with them and support them as they sail uncharted waters, as they focus on the cross. Know that you are in my prayers and Leigh's as well; we hope that we are in yours.

Finally, as I take my leave, if I have wronged any of you while here at Trinity I ask for your forgiveness; if any of you have wronged me, I forgive you. To paraphrase St. Thomas Aquinas, while I’ve been here I’ve tried to teach the truth and live the life that God would have me live. If I’ve been wrong in anything, I do not cling to my mistakes but I ask God and God’s Church to repair them!

May God bless each and every one of you in your searches.
May the road rise up to meet you and may the wind be ever at your back.
May the God who brought again Christ Jesus from the Dead fill you with every blessing. Amen

In Christ,

Mike +

PS: Leigh and I will be here in Parkersburg for a few more weeks; we do not have our final address or phone number yet, but we can be reached at the parish:

Varina Episcopal Church
2385 Mill Rd
Richmond, VA 23231

Hope to hear from you and maybe even see some of you soon. We are less than 10 minutes from downtown Richmond and less than an hour from Williamsburg and Busch Gardens.

We want to thank Jeff Smith, our Acolyte Master, for providing triquetras for the acolytes to wear while they are serving at Trinity. The Triquetra is a symbol of our parish, seen on our signs and letterhead, so it is something peculiar to Trinity that these young people may wear as they serve at the altar.

The Triquetra is an ancient Christian symbol for the Trinity. It is sometimes seen with a circle (as we have here at Trinity Church) and sometimes not. The three portions represent the three persons of the Holy Trinity, they are all equal and they are all part of a whole. The symbol goes back at least to the Book of Kells, an ancient copy of the Gospels that was likely copied on the Island of Iona (off the Scottish coast) around 800 AD. (See the next article for more on the Book of Kells!). Thank you Jeff.

The book sale was a HUGE success due to all those who worked feverishly to make it so.  As is usual, a great portion of the proceeds will be poured back into the community.  I do not know the amount the sale took in, or the distribution of the funds, but I know they are both blessed. 

Thank everyone for the hard work and long hours!

Don’t forget Supper Club, Friday, November 16th starting at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Marion and Charlie Culbertson. 124 Windsor Drive, Mineral Wells

All are invited. Call Marion at 489-9681 to let her know what you will bring to share. Beverages are provided, but you are welcome to bring your own if you have a favorite one. No agenda...just supper with your Trinity friends and fun. Newcomers most welcome. There should be maps on the Trinity Hall bulletin board by the time you receive this Times. And it is not too late to say you will come.

Harvest Altar and Brown Bag Sunday

What beautiful decorations on the altar for Harvest Sunday! Our thanks go to
Diane Hensley for the adorning. Grateful thanks to everyone for the plentiful harvest of Brown Bag items. 

Congratulations to Hamp Fitcher for on your election as our District 4 City Councilman! God bless you in your new position of leadership in our community!

Father Neilson will be involved in the Community Thanksgiving Service to be
held next Sunday, November 18, at Logan Memorial United Methodist Church on Ann Street. The service will be at 3 p.m. and everyone is welcome to attend and give thanks! At the FaithLink Dinner last month, Trinity had more people present than any other single Church in Wood County! Let’s keep up our presence at Community events. 

    Our Parish Prayers

Please hold these people, events and circumstances in your daily prayers. Also, we encourage you to always say a prayer for those unknown persons who have no one to pray for them. By-the-way, please remember to renew prayer requests monthly

Gene Smith, Julia Davis, Walter Kafka, Justine Eby, Woody and Gloria Thacker, David and Jane Couch, Bob Lawrence-Berrey, Jennie Miracle, Tiffany, Gabe and Mason Bennett, Roy Uppwall, Tom O’Shea, Celia Smith, Philip Roper, Jim Snider, Jane Wood, Ron Taylor, Mary Glen Rice, Delores Sayres and family, Wayne and Virginia Wiles, Nellie Johnston, Danny, and little Joey Bowersock.