Grace and Peace

Grace and Peace.

I am so grateful to all who went to the effort of attending Vestry, and to those who apologized for not being there but offered their support to the Parish.

I am looking forward to working with the Council that you elected and empowering it to do its functions well.

I am grateful for to the parish for the opportunity to go away for a few days and have some personal time. These times of reflection and prayer are important for me to bring balance and order to my life - and I am grateful to God for His mercy and grace.

As we now head into our Easter program - expect to be called upon to participate in the services through doing readings and parts of the liturgies. It is an immersive experience that requires great participation. As our lent theme leads us in our desire to have our "hearts set on fire" are we seeing God in the burning bush so that we can be re-ignited in our faith and passion and answer the call.

I will be overseeing the Vestries in Greytown this Sunday and ask for your payers. I am very grateful to the Revd. Canon Peter Houston who will conduct the services here. May you be blessed as you worship together.

I was struck this week by how a scenery looks so different depending on one's own mood.

The world around us appears to us as we see it, and not only as it is. The mountains speak only what we allow them to echo from our own hearts. The clouds have colors that we notice depending on how we feel. And yet beneath that is the reminder that the mountains are constant and stand majestic, despite how we see them, not because of how we see them. All things in life carry that same lesson.

So let our hearts be filled with gratitude, the only emotion that can empower us to endure all situations. If we look upon life with gratitude for what God has and is and will do in our lives - we will always see mountains as majestic, seas as symbols of timeless faithfulness, people as sacraments of God's presence in the world, and we will always hope!

May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him.

Amen!

Lent 4 2026