Dear Members and Friends of Faith Des Peres,
From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank all of you who have reached out to me via phone, email and text following the announcement of my new call. Many of you have said you don’t know how to feel or what to say, and I understand completely. I’m reminded that when the women found Jesus’ empty tomb, Matthew tells his readers that the women felt both “fear and joy”. That’s an odd mixture of emotions that we don’t always know what to do with: do we say “congratulations”, cry, get angry, or grow silent? While any of those reactions are natural, here’s what I’d encourage you to do: talk to me. Tell me you don’t know what to say or how to feel. That’s OK! I’m processing the end of my time with you, too, and also facing the same emotional roller coaster. So please don’t feel like you need to feel whatever you’re feeling alone. I’m here for you, the Session is here for you, and so is your church. We’ll get through this.
This Sunday is Palm Sunday, my favorite Sunday of the year, and I can’t wait to celebrate it with you. Guest musicians will join us, if the weather is OK we’ll start outside, and for the 4th year we’ll observe the ritual of handwashing. I hope you’ll be here as we enter this holiest of weeks.
Lastly, don’t forget the Maundy Thursday supper and worship at 7:00 pm in the Gathering Space. If you have not yet signed-up, you can RSVP here. We need a count to know how many tables and chairs to set-up. And of course, Easter is just a week away!
I look forward to seeing you Sunday.
Grace, peace and blessings,
Annie