“The people of St. Bart’s are called to bring the Good News in real and tangible ways to defy the decline of sacramental churches worldwide. What have you done towards this purpose?” - Interview question #7 from the music director search committee

Dear friends, I greet you with abundant Easter joy.

With Easter at hand, I am reminded that our response to God’s Urgent Cry is to bring the Good News in real and tangible ways to all of God’s people. God calls each of us, and collectively, to make the choice each day to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Our campaign Honor Faith. Build Future. continues to draw us deeper into this truth. As the work continues, we pick up the cross another person bears on our journey. The heavy crosses born on the shoulders of those God loves can be exhausting and life changing. 

We served shoulder to shoulder with friend and stranger in 2017. Last year, St. Bart’s served 175,000 people on and off campus, bringing the Good News to others in real and tangible ways. Amen. God continues to call us to be bolder, to be engaging in other's lives. The more we listen and serve, the heavier the burden, the crosses, become. God, enables each of us to turn that burden over to Jesus. It is easier when we share our story, when we accept others help with our crosses. When we turn to Christ Jesus, we are not outsourcing. No, quite the opposite. You and I accept the invitation, with God’s help, to make Good News real – tangible. 

Many people ask me how I have so much energy, how I am able to pursue God’s work in so many lives and ministries, how I am able to invite others to join in this crusade, the Jesus Movement. How am I able to be on the ground holding a person’s hand, wiping a tear today, then co-creating a vision for ministry tomorrow? Where do I find the confidence in our understanding of God’s vision? 

I have come to accept that my burdens are also yours. I, too, am human. Although not necessarily literally the same, cumulatively the burdens we bare can only be transformed by the accepting Jesus Christ in our lives. When I am at my best, I daily, hourly even, seek a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. When I am at my best, I get off my knees after begging God to not to send me forth, my self-effacing and selfish arguments challenge my every choice, and I step forward knowing that I am not fully human, I am not living the life God created me for, unless I walk with Jesus. 

Perhaps this prayer is yours too? (Reverend Phillips Brooks’ preached): 

Do not pray for easy lives.
Pray to be stronger men (women, people).
Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers.
Pray for powers equal to your tasks.
Then, the doing of your work shall be no miracle,
but you shall be a miracle.
Everyday you shall wonder at yourself at the richness of life,
which has come to you by the Grace of God. 

My friends, I invite you to step into the life of the Cross and Good News. Join us in our coming offering - to prepare for baptism, to accept a new identity as a child of God and that of the Episcopal church (confirmation), join a small group in Bible study or book club, make time to serve others through our many ministries. 

My friends, I invite you to begin to be bold and invite others to join us too. Invite your friends, neighbors and, yes, those you serve to worship. Help them come to know that at St. Bart’s, we are on a crusade to make the Good News real and tangible for generations to come. The journey begins anew, right here and right now. Join us!