Dear friends in Christ—
How will you serve?
Normally, I think the world should take its cues from the church, rather than the other way
around. But this weekend, the world has a great deal to offer the church in its commemoration
of Martin Luther King, Jr. In the 36 years since his birthday became a Federal holiday, the day
has taken on layers of meaning.
Sometimes the day bumps up against a presidential inauguration. It has become common for
universities and other institutions to set aside a day of service. The King’s legacy has been
become synonymous not only with justice, but also with the service and sacrifice that create
justice.
Service and sacrifice are key Christian values. And they are particular values at Grace Church.
We lift up service in our mission statement because it is so important to who we are. We
believe the love of God to be so transforming that it sparks our love, our witness, and our
action in return.
So what does it look like for you?
This is a good moment to think about how you offer yourself to the life of this church and to the
world around you. Many of us are still writing new patterns and habits for the new year. Soon
we’ll be meeting as a parish (the Annual Meeting is on January 29) and electing new vestry
leaders.
Stability has been a gift to this church during the upheaval of the pandemic. But this is a
moment for renewed commitments, for change, maybe even for transformation.
I encourage you to pray this week with this email, or with the Sunday announcements, or better
yet with the church website. Reacquaint yourself with this place and look with fresh eyes.
Where does the Spirit invite you in? Where can you serve God by serving this institution?
I suspect that leaders of any ministry would be happy to talk with you. I know your clergy
would be very glad!
God needs you, and this church needs you. What will your commitment look like?
Yours in Christ,
Anne+