Meg's Ordination to the Priesthood

Dear friends and members of St. Matt's,

I'm so glad to share with you the wonderful news that our former seminarian, Meg Stapleton Smith, has been given a date for her ordination to the Priesthood. This such an important moment in Meg's life - and such a gift to all of us who have loved her and supported her along the way.

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 - we're fortunate that it's going to happen so close to us! I know that many of you will want to go and support Meg with your prayers and presence that night. My heart is heavy with the truth that I may not be able to be there, so it will do me good, too, to know that you are there in person to love and support her.

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.

I'm glad to say that Meg will be with you some in the coming weeks while I'm on leave. So, you will get to celebrate with her and congratulate her in person. I know that all of you who know Meg will rejoice with me in the gift that she will be to the church. If you're newer to our congregation and don't know her, I hope you'll take this chance to introduce yourself to her and get to know her. I know she'll be happy to meet you.

Know, too, that I give thanks for the gift that you - the community at St. Matt's - have given the church in Meg by forming her, welcoming her, and loving her in this place. It is a gift to us, of course, to have had Meg among us, and it is also a gift to her and to the larger church that you have been her companion on the way. God's love truly is abundant when we share it together. Thank you for all you do.

Faithfully,

--Marissa +