I hope and pray that you are well. Fall is here! I love the crispness of the air, and while I don't like the raking, I enjoy watching leaves change color. It's peaceful, and for that peace, I am grateful. I have started a simple gratitude practice in my life. After Denise and Lydia leave for school, as I clean up breakfast, I spend some time giving thanks for the blessings in my life. St. Martin's is always near the top of that list. Thank you all for being you.

I hope and pray that you are well. We are at the halfway point of our stewardship campaign, and we're doing great! To everyone who has pledged, thank you! Your gifts and increased giving are deeply appreciated. If you have not pledged or you have questions about pledging, feel free to reach out to me. I'd love to have a conversation. Denise and I give to St. Martin's because we believe in the ministry of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields. We love our church and give out of that love. This year, we would love to have all pledges turned in by St. Martin's Day, November 9, so we can gather and celebrate the work we've done together.

I hope this email finds you well. This week's opening prayer (our collect of the day) reads, "Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us and that we might be continually given to good works." As far as the church year goes, it's a pretty simple opening prayer—shorter than most—but it's always been one of my favorites. I have always found comfort in the idea that I can both follow God's grace and be pushed by it. I have also found that when I am supported forward and back by God's grace, I naturally fall into a pattern of doing "good works." On the other hand, when I am out of line with God's call to the world, my behavior reflects it, and not in good ways. Being centered in grace through prayer and worship helps us each to live lives of love and kindness. For these things I give thanks.

I hope and pray that you are well. I would like to begin this e-Messenger by saying thank you. Our stewardship campaign is going well. Pledges are coming in, and the overwhelming majority of you have increased your pledge. Thank you! If everyone participates, I know we will get closer to our common goal! We are building a beloved community, a place where families gather. It is as exciting as it is hope-filled. Thank you.

Yesterday I had a long conversation with our Bishop. We spoke about the health of St. Martin's, the growth we've experienced and sustained, and the excitement we as a parish have for tomorrow. We are one of the only Episcopal churches in the state to not only return to pre-pandemic numbers, but also surpass them. I think this is a testament to all of you; you are the ones who invite your friends to church, you are the ones who talk about us in and around the city, and you are the ones who consistently welcome people into our midst. You are the ones who serve in Christ's name. Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote, "The church is the church only when it exists for others, not dominating, but helping and serving." The catch is that when we help and serve, we grow. People want to be of service, and for that I am grateful.

Yesterday I did something that sparked some really great memories. I arranged flowers. My grandmother used to arrange flowers for her church, and my mom as well. We have a small family funeral today at St. Martin's, and our volunteers have done so much lately, so I just decided to do it myself. Now my work was not up to the Shari or Mimi level, and I am sure my wife and mom could have offered some helpful pointers, but in my own defense, they look pretty good! I took my time, I prayed, I cut, and snipped. It was fun, and everyone deserves something beautiful at a funeral.

I hope and pray that you are well! It probably comes as no surprise that I was never much of a Charlie Kirk fan. He made his fortune on "owning libs" while peddling many ideas that I found to be deeply misogynistic, homophobic, and dangerous. In the world of rage-bait politics, he was a political powerhouse and highly effective. In many ways, Charlie Kirk did what others before him never could: he made the farthest right positions seem mainstream. For this, I profoundly disagreed with him. At the same time, though, all accounts say that Charlie Kirk was a loving father and husband. He was a Christian, and therefore a sibling in Christ. As such, it is important to offer our sincere thoughts and prayers for him and those who loved him, as well as those whom he loved. Please know I have prayed for him and his family, and will continue to do so. I also in this prayer, join with faith leaders from around the country in once again unequivocally condemning political violence. The freedom to debate, exchange ideas, and disagree without threat or fear of violence is essential to our democracy and the democratic process.

This Sunday, we celebrate a long-standing tradition of St. Martin's with our annual Jazz Mass. It's a day of festive music, fun, and joy. It's a day I have come to love very much. After the service, we will have a second celebration as we will celebrate our Stewardship Kick-off with a potluck lunch. St. Martin's will supply the main course; please, if you can bring a side to share. I think I am going to make a Hawaiian-style macaroni. It will be fun! Come hear from our parish's leadership and celebrate the ministry we have done together.

Our New Testament reading for this Sunday from the Letter of Hebrews begins, "Let mutual love continue." We don't know exactly who wrote this letter or sermon, or to whom it was written. We think that it was probably written by one of Paul's co-ministers, and we think it was written to a community (likely Rome) that needed encouragement during a difficult time where members were arrested, property was seized by the emperor, and folks felt afraid. What we do know is that its truth, its beauty, and its comfort have rung true for all Christians in all churches ever since. We turn to these comforting words. It remains a favorite. 

I hope and pray that you are doing well. For our parents, I hope you are navigating carpool drop-off lines with grace and ease. I know I have not. In one recent episode, I could have sworn the traffic director waved me forward, so I pressed on the gas, only to be scolded soundly. Typically, I handle embarrassment with relative ease; everyone does dumb things occasionally, you get over it, but I have felt guilty and thought about this episode all week long. 

I think it is from a deep-seated longing, at least as far as my family is concerned, to do things "right". Whatever that means. When I get it wrong, whether it is carpool or a pre-race breakfast, or bad advice on homework help, I feel in some ways like I have failed, and sometimes, I have noticed the more I try to get things "right," the more I seem to get wrong. It's a cycle that I am sure is not unique to me.

I hope and pray that you are well. This Sunday, we baptize three children, welcoming them into our communion of faith. I am so grateful that these families have found a home at St. Martin's. We are a church that says "we will" when asked if we will support these people in their lives in Christ loudly and with great pride. I am grateful for this, and for all of you.

I hope and pray that you are well. As a child, I wonder, what are some of your favorite memories about the start of a new school year? For me, I remember two very distinct things. The first thing was back-to-school shopping with my mother, and getting new shoes. I remember trying to keep them clean for the first couple of days, but then a game of kickball or football would inevitably happen, and all of a sudden, my new shoes would be dirty like all the rest. 

I hope and pray that you are doing well. As the summer is winding down, I find myself scrambling to make sure I am prepared for the upcoming program year. I can only imagine what our parents feel like! The end of summer has approached fiercely and faster than I ever imagined (even though this happens every year!). 

I hope and pray that you are well. I have found myself counting down the days until summer break ends. There is a move-in date on the horizon, when Denise and I will take our oldest and drop him off. Despite all the high school graduation slogans that proclaim each senior as being "ready to launch" or something along those lines, we see the date coming with a mix of emotions. Love, pride, nervousness, excitement, trepidation, and joy all mixed into one giant ball of anticipation. I found myself reflecting on my emotions as I read this week's gospel. "Lord, teach us to pray?" the disciples ask. From this question, we get the Lord's prayer. 

I hope and pray that you are well. It's hard for me to believe, but as I write this on July 17, I realize that the summer is almost over. In less than a month, our program year kicks off, and teachers and children will return to school. The dog days of summer must be referring to greyhounds because this summer seems to have gone by fast!

I hope and pray that you are well. I also hope that you have a great 4th of July. This Sunday, after church, if you enjoy patriotic music, please stay for the organ postlude. Also, this Sunday, at our 5 PM service, our seminarian, Adam Steele, will be preaching. Please join me in supporting him as he continues on his path towards ordination in The Episcopal Church.

At the end of the month, St. Martin's will experience two staff changes. The first is that after thirty-eight years of music ministry, Pam Hair is retiring. Pam has taught choirs and shared her love of sacred music with multiple generations of children. She has even taught children of former students. Pam's love, patience, and passion for incorporating children into worship have been a blessing to St. Martin's and every church she has served. Thirty-eight years is a fantastic ministry, and we wish her well.

I hope and pray that you are well! I also hope you are keeping cool. It's an annual tradition in the South to complain about the heat when it's above 90 and the cold whenever it drops below 54, so I'm logging my annual complaint now. It's hot!!! Someone, please, drive by and give Gordon Thomas a popsicle!