From the Rector …

Depending on how exactly you count, I’ve had close to twenty-two first days of school. I won’t make you do the math, but let’s just say this means that in a supermajority of my Septembers, I’ve strapped on my backpack, stood outside with my parents (or wife!) for the obligatory “first day of school” photo, and then headed off into the unknown amid a flood of tears. (And sometimes I cried, too.)

Well, a new school year’s just begun here in Boston, and the goodbyes have been… a little different. Fewer backpacks, more headphones. Fewer lunchboxes, more Wi-Fi extenders. (Just about the same number of parental tears.)

I’m reminded, as those of us with kids at home become accidental homeschoolers, how central the home is in the Jewish tradition of religious education. For many Jews, the primary place a person learns to be Jewish isn’t a synagogue or a Hebrew school; it’s the home. It’s a tradition found 2,600 years ago in the Book of Deuteronomy: These words that I am commanding you today must always be on your minds. Recite them to your children. Talk about them when you are sitting around your house and when you are out and about, when you are lying down and when you are getting up. (Deuteronomy 6:6–7 CEB)

Our children and their teachers will muddle through math together this year, one way or another. Somehow, between our own meetings, we’ll help them with home lab experiments and toddler cooking projects. But I wonder, whether you live with children or with a spouse or alone: What are the lessons we’ll teach one another this fall? What are the words that are always on our minds? What do we recite to one another? What do we talk about when we’re just sitting around?

Most of us never meant to be teachers. But I wonder what hidden things we have to teach. And most of us are no longer students. But I know we still have a lot to learn.

Peace, 
Greg+

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. – Philippians 1:2

In French, they say, “Good day” or “Health!” In Hebrew, “Peace”; in Hawaiian, “Love.” In English, we say “Hello,” the strange telephone greeting that only barely won out over Alexander Graham Bell’s preferred suggestion for how to greet a caller: “Ahoy!” (Is it possible we missed out on having a smartphone called the iHoy?)

The Church, though, has its own greetings: “Grace to you and peace.” From the earliest letters of Paul to our modern-day “passing of the peace,” we recognize that it’s not enough for us just to say “hello” to our family in the Church. It’s not enough just to acknowledge one another’s presence with an “ahoy” as we pass by. We offer one another grace; we pray for one another’s peace.

Well, I’m here now, settling into my new office, getting ready for our first Sunday service together, and looking forward to meeting and greeting you all.

It’s a strange time to become your rector, but I wanted to share with you a few ways we can get to know one another: 
1. I’ll be hosting a weekly Zoom “Coffee with the Rector” on Wednesdays, from 8:30-9:30am. Feel free to drop in for a few minutes before you log on to work or after you’ve sorted the kids out for school, or come and stay as long as you’d like. Click here any time between 8:30am and 9:30am this coming Wednesday morning to say hello!
2. I’d love to meet one-on-one for a Zoom or phone call, a conversation outside in the Garden, or a walk somewhere around Charlestown. You can email me at rector@stjohns02129.org or call the office at (617) 242-1272. Both Priscilla and I will be in the office on Tuesday from 9am until 2pm.  We can also access voice mail remotely, so feel free to leave a message as we both continue working primarily from home.
3. We’ll be organizing a few group get-togethers in the coming weeks and months, on Zoom or outdoors. Stay tuned for dates, times, and details on how to sign up.

Finally, of course, I’ll be leading our Sunday worship every week, so I’ll look forward to seeing you there, in person or virtually. I can’t wait to get to know each one of you, and to have to opportunity to say hello. But for now, I’ll just say…

Peace,
Greg