Hope & Home.
Dear friends and members of St. Matthew's,
What a roller coaster of a week this has been. In this last week we've had news about the election, hopeful news about the possibility of a vaccine, and difficult news about rising COVID cases in town and across the state. As if we needed anything else on our plates in the midst of this already stressful and strange season. You have all been in my prayers as we make our way through these tense few weeks. I give thanks for the ways this community continues to love and serve each other and the surrounding community. You are a light in the midst of all the chaos that surrounds us. And I'm so glad to have connected with those of you who reached out. If you're anxious and needing a place to rest, someone to listen, please don't hesitate to be in touch.
Like you, I listened to the news about successful vaccine testing thus far with a tremendous amount of hope and longing. It's early days, still - and there is a lot of time and terrain to cover between here and there. And that hopeful news has caused me to think quite a lot about what our homecoming will look like. About how many of us are longing for that day, and how delighted we will be when we can all be together safely. There will be many, many hugs, many tears, and much joy on that day. I hold onto that image, onto that hope often - and it moves me to tears just thinking about it.
As we look toward that day together, there are many opportunities to learn, grow, serve, pray, and connect in this time. I hope you'll participate in them, making your spiritual journey a priority, choosing to fill your lamp (yes, I know, that was Sunday's sermon, but sometimes a preacher can't help themselves!). I also hope that as you (and your family) prayerfully consider your pledge to St. Matthew's for the year 2021 that you will keep in mind: this is the year we will come home together. At some point, hopefully in the first half of 2021, we will be together in person - all of us. So when you pledge for the coming year, you're choosing to support the life of our community - now, yes - but also for our homecoming. Hopefully, a big piece of 2021 will see us together, consistently, safely. This will be the year we celebrate our homecoming. This will be the year when we welcome in all the new neighbors who have moved to Wilton and the surrounding towns. It will be the season when we make new friends, grow in our faith, and expand our witness to the good news of God.
Thank you to those who have already made your pledge - and to the many of you who have increased your pledge for the year ahead! Thank you for your faithfulness and your generosity. If you haven't yet, consider making your pledge today. And consider all that St. Matthew's has given you and all that you want St. Matthew's to be in the future as we continue to support each other now - and - as we prepare for that happy season when we can celebrate fully together again. That day is coming.
Your pledge is a faithful promise. God expects us to give generously of all that God has so freely given to us. And it is a deeply faithful thing to support the life of the whole community, to enable us to do the work we've been given to do. Your pledge enables us to do all that we do to serve, form, comfort, teach, strengthen, and love. Your pledge makes it possible for us to celebrate together in the joyful moments. Your pledge makes it possible for us to comfort, love, and strengthen those who find themselves in the midst of sadness and grief. Your pledge makes it possible for us to offer musical education, spiritual formation, and meaningful experiences to our kids in a community that loves them for just who they are. We can't do what we do without your faithfulness and generosity. And as has been said by several of our leaders, this is perhaps the most difficult season St. Matthew's has faced. Please give keeping in mind all that God and St. Matthew's have given to you.
On the other side of things, if you are experiencing the financial crunch of this season, if you need help, please be in touch. The parish maintains a discretionary account that gives me the opportunity to assist you confidentially. If you need help, please be in touch.
Thank you for your continued support of St. Matthew's. Thank you for all the ways you participate in our life together. Thank you for prayerfully considering what you can give in this season to sustain our life and help us move into that future, that joyful season together. You are the hope. And together, we are the home. God loves you, and so do I.
Faithfully,
--Marissa +
Tags: Welcome from the Rector