“... God gave the growth.” 1 Corinthians 3:9
 
Dear St. John’s,
   I stopped by our Pledge Garden today for the first time in a while and was in awe. The small plants we put in the ground earlier this summer now fill the space with beautiful flowers and foliage.
   This week, I also visited the annual summer Drumming Camp at St. Stephen’s in Millburn, which several of the children in the Wilson House attended. There, I saw some children I hadn’t seen in person for two or more years because of COVID. Again, I was in awe of how tall they had grown and how beautifully they had “sprouted.”
   As we go about our day-to-day tasks, we can’t always see the progress we are making or the growth of the seeds we plant or the projects we begin. But, thanks to God’s grace, the growth does occur. We may not see it for awhile, but keep the faith: The harvest is coming!

Rev. Sharon

Dear St. John’s,
    Somehow, the August insects always sound different to my ears. They remind me that, even as we continue to enjoy hot sunny days and beautiful flowers, summer is winding down. Autumn is on its way.
    Sometimes we know change is coming. But sometimes it arrives abruptly. I’ve been reminded of that repeatedly in the last few weeks, as I’ve received word of sudden deaths at St. John’s and elsewhere. In the news, we see devastating wildfires in Hawai’i, a coup in Niger, political assassination in Ecuador.
    Through it all, we are comforted by the steadfastness of the God whose love for us never changes and by Jesus’ promise to be with us always. We remember that we remain in God’s care, no matter what happens.
   May we cherish our days together and trust that God will guide us through whatever changes are in our future.
 
Rev. Sharon

P.S. – Don’t forget that this Sunday we collect food for the local food pantry. We also will offer healing prayers after the worship service at the altar rail.

O God, our refuge and strength,
our help in times of trouble.
Have mercy on the lands damaged by fires.
Have mercy on the lands
where weather has destroyed livelihoods.
Protect those who evacuate houses,
and strengthen those who rebuild hope
so that entire communities
may face the future without fear.
Amen.
Dear St. John’s,
 
I first became aware of the devastating Hawaii wildfires when my cousin posted a photo on Facebook and said he was preparing for a quick middle-of-the-night evacuation if necessary. Fortunately, the fire stopped about half a mile from his house. Two other friends formerly from the Diocese of Newark also posted that they are safe: the Rev. George Wong, former rector of Church of the Saviour in Denville, and Hawaii Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick, who was a priest at St. Peter’s in Morristown when I first moved to the diocese.
 
On a happier note, I learned through a post on our church Facebook page that frequent commenter Mike Casparian was a choir member at St. John’s years ago, when Mrs. Bidwell was the organist.
 
These incidents reminded me, once again, of how connected we all are as members of Christ’s body. And they demonstrated that the tools of social media, which people often yield for less-noble purposes, can help us stay in touch with one another and connect across large geographic distances.
 
Let us give thanks for our connections as members of God’s extended family. And let us pray for all affected by the wildfires, which have killed at least 55 people and displaced hundreds of families.
 
In addition to prayers, we can help with monetary donations to the 2 Episcopal organizations listed below.
 
Rev. Sharon

• The Episcopal Diocese of Hawaiʻi is coordinating immediate diocesan relief efforts to the Lahaina Fire disaster through the Diocese’s A CUP OF COLD WATER (ACCW) (a separately incorporated subsidiary of the Diocese that serves the houseless on Maui). Make an online donation through the Bishop’s Pastoral Fund on the website of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaiʻi (the funds will be gathered and sent to ACCW) at https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/... Or, mail checks to: A Cup of Cold Water, 2140 Main St., Wailuku, HI 96793
• Episcopal Relief & Development (a denomination-wide agency) https://www.episcopalrelief.org/press-resources/supporting-hawaii-after-wildfires/

Dear St. John’s,
 
This afternoon, I was thrilled to see a hummingbird flitting among my rose-of-Sharon bushes. Hummingbirds are among my favorite creatures (you might have spotted the one on my green stole). And there one was, visiting one of my favorite summer flowers.
 
Our lives can be very busy, full or stresses and sorrows. But the world also is filled with great beauty and moments of wonder that help restore our souls. The flickering of lightning bugs in the lawn, a stunning moonrise, a field of wildflowers, the sound of waves at the Shore – all can bring a quick but powerful dose of joy and peace.
 
The key is to pay attention, and to thank God for those flashes of beauty and joy. For surely they are a gift of the Spirit, moving into our lives with the graceful energy of a hummingbird.
 
Rev. Sharon