Dear Friends,

I sometimes describe the summer months as a quiet time in the life of St. John’s.  But as I worked on this week’s issue of  News and Notes, I was reminded that even in “quiet times,” people are hearing the Spirit, seeing God’s beauty, and acting in love. Certainly our summer campers at the Barbara C. Harris Camp saw God’s beauty around them, as they were encouraged to act in love.  I know our children hear the Spirit everytime they meet with Rachel Pfost in the Godly Play room, as a number of them did this past Sunday. On Monday evenings or at other random times, you will find faithful gardeners helping the Cutler Memorial Garden to flourish, even in the extreme heat. Attendance may be lower in the summer, but oh, how delightful it is to welcome persons joining us in worship for the first time! Though spring is the time for seed planting, seeds were planted this week for our fall Harvest Fair- and yes, November will be here all too soon. Other faithful servants met last week to begin the work of our fall stewardship campaign. Beyond our church, this issue’s prayer for agriculture and laborers from The Book of Common Prayer reminds me of how much the labor of others makes my life possible, even when I am looking for “quiet” on my vacation.

A quiet time? Perhaps. As in every season though,  seeds are being planted, people are being welcomed, and in ways seen and unseen, the gospel is being proclaimed.

Faithfully,

Tom