Beloved St. John’s community,
The year 2020 is finally drawing to a close. During this week, I am taking some much-needed vacation time (it’s a staycation with my lovely family, Jeff and Carly)—in fact, I’m engaging the spiritual practice “rest”! I encourage all of you to find rhythms of rest, also, that honor what God is doing in you and in this world.
In lieu of my normal Rector’s Reflection, therefore, I offer you a poem that Caron Stebinger shared with our “Spiritual Bootcamp in the Wilderness” group, and also with Spirit group, lay aside the old year in peace.
Lay it aside with reverence
as you would bid farewell to an ancient ancestor,
knowledgeable in archaic things,
experienced in change.
Do not hope that you will never need its lessons again.
Do not hope for death or an end to growth.
Rather, turn to welcome the new year
with open hands, with open eyes, with open soul.
Open your heart to its mystery and possibility.
Walk into its wonder with curiosity.
Walk in a shower of blessings
Andrea La Sonde Anastos, 2020
In trust that God’s Spirit is always making everything new,
Faithfully, in Christ’s love,
