Dear Friends,

I hope you can join us in the Garden this evening for the party being organized by our Garden Group. They have been hard at work and the evening promises to be wonderful (and the weather is cooperating greatly!) The garden is one of those places at St. John’s that I love to show to newcomers. Even with its beckoning walkway, it can remain unnoticed by visitors. Then, when they see it, they express delight at discovering such a gem.

Like our church, there are parts of each of us that are quite visible to the world, and parts that are not. One of the great joys of pastoral ministry is to spend time with a person and then to discover some hidden gem about his or her life – perhaps a talent not yet shared, an experience of faith that has been transforming, or an undisclosed chapter in life that has brought much perspective and wisdom.  And when that gem is suddenly revealed, there is delight, joy, and gratitude for what God has created.

Each of us has those gems. Each of us can contribute to the beauty, wisdom, and justice of the world through the sharing of our gifts and our experience. So come to the garden tonight, and admire our gem of a space. But also keep your eyes open to see all the gems that God has created in the lives of those you see and greet.

Faithfully,

Tom