January 2023
Dear friends and members of St. Matt’s,
I’m delighted to share with you the news, if you haven’t heard it yet, that while I’m on leave, the Rev. Dr. Linda Spiers will be returning to St. Matt’s to serve as your Priest. I know that so many of you enjoyed Linda’s presence a few years ago, and I am grateful that Linda is excited about returning to St. Matt’s to be with you. It truly is a gift to us to have a steady presence here to support the staff and Vestry while I’m away, and to care for you. It gives me a sense of peace as I prepare to leave, knowing that you will be in good and faithful hands. Please read on in the e-news to learn a little more about Linda and the time since she’s been with us last. If you didn’t meet Linda in 2021, I hope you’ll take advantage of her being here this time.
It’s always a gift in a faith community to have a chance to hear from a different voice, to walk some of the road with a different companion. Having Linda here, and Meg visiting during the time of my leave, is an opportunity for you to do just that. These are two faithful, wonderful clergy people who’s life, experience, and perspective is, of course, different than my own. I hope you’ll see them as companions and resources and you’ll learn as much as you can from them on the stretch of the road ahead that you’ll walk together.
Last week, I was able to share the good news with you about Meg’s ordination. Godwilling and the people consenting, Meg will be ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests in Christ’s one, holy, catholic and apostolic church at 6:30pm on February 14th, 2023 at St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church in Bethel, CT. I hope you’ll all mark your calendars and plan to attend. I know she would love to see you there and share that special moment in her life and in the life of the Church with you.
There’s one other concrete way that you can help support her, too. There are many different customs and practices around ordination, but one of them is for a community like ours to buy the vestments that Meg will put on at her ordination. Not only will she wear the white chasuble and stole that night, in her first moments as a Priest, that set will travel with her throughout her ministry. Each time she puts it on, she will be reminded of you, of her time here, of what she learned from you, and how much we love her. I can tell you from my own experience that this tangible symbol of love that I carry with me is both a comfort and an inspiration.
You can contribute to this gift for Meg by clicking here. Mention in the gift field that your gift is for Meg’s ordination. You can also mail in a check or put a check in the plate on Sunday, please mention in the memo line that it is for Meg’s ordination. By giving her this last gift, help us continue to raise her up. Also, please find a time in the next few weeks to sign the book in the Narthex that we’ll give to Meg along with her gift. You can share with her your prayers, wishes, memories of her, and gratitude.
Linda will join you whenever it is that I need to step out. Meg will be here first on 1/29 and participating in a forum after church. She’ll be here a few more times while I’m out as well. And there is so much that the staff and I have planned for the weeks ahead and for Lent. You won’t want to miss out on all that’s coming your way. So, keep your eye on our e-news and on our social media and join us. I hope to see you on Sunday. And until then, God loves you, and so do I.
Faithfully,
–Marissa +