October, 2026

Beloved, 

Surely, Betty wouldn’t do that, would she!?

“To everything, (turn, turn, turn) there is a season, (turn, turn, turn), and a time to every purpose under heaven.”

At first, I thought I was looking at the wrong memo when I saw the Byrds’ 1965 number-one hit, Turn! Turn! Turn!, on her list of requested music.

My God, that’s right—Betty and Kenny were flower children, the original hippies!

As I studied the song, I discovered that the words came almost straight from the third chapter of Ecclesiastes. I had no idea it was biblical.

Who am I to judge?

Every bit of energy poured into that service taught me something more about Kenny—a man I barely knew until the last days of his life—and about the life he and Betty had built together, including the fruits of their love: three amazing sons and their families. Now I can’t hear that song without thinking of him.

Then, another day, I was at Barbara’s with the ladies for our monthly prayer quilt gathering. Looking around the room, I couldn’t help noticing Arlene’s absence.

Under my breath, I said, “We miss you.”

Then I thought of Ted, Patricia, Doris, Minnie, and so many other familiar faces.

I wondered: Did they have any idea how much we would miss them?

I feel somewhat hypocritical sharing this sentiment with you because there have been times when I left people behind, thinking very little about the consequences of my departure.

I left my parents and my childhood home. I left friends in Japan and good friends from several communities, assuming they would carry on their business as usual. I never felt disconnected from my people because, in my mind, my heart never left them.

But as I have grown older, I have also become the person people leave behind.

As rector, I welcome new people and bid farewell to those who leave. Lately, we’ve said more goodbyes than we’d care to, haven’t we?

That shift has made me more aware of grief. Sometimes I wonder if this is a little like what an empty nest feels like: the love remains, but the room feels different because someone who mattered is no longer sitting there.

And yet, the beauty of parish life comes in all shapes and seasons.

Even amid our goodbyes, we are blessed with new hellos.

As Nancy returns to read books in our preschool, Lilian and Judy are joining her to meet new little friends and beloved teachers through our L.I.G.H.T. ministry—Literacy, Inspiration, Growing Hearts Together.

And we just welcomed our youngest friend: baby Elijah!

That Andrew and Katlin, his parents, chose our community for the baptism of their newest family member is a tremendous testimony to the generosity of your love. What a glorious day it was for our community.

If only Elijah knew how much his baptism meant to all of us that day.

In that little child, we were reminded of something much bigger than ourselves—a renewal of faith, hope, and love in Jesus’ name. God’s grace shone through him, reminding us of our mission and of who we are as disciples of Jesus Christ.

And the Good News does not stop there.

We are nurturing another new friendship!

Beginning in October, a multigenerational Girl Scout troop will meet regularly in our building. These 27 girls, from first through twelfth grade, previously met at River City Church down the street and have now chosen St. Paul’s as their new home.

I can’t think of a better place to welcome them.

Girl Scouts are already woven into this parish’s story. The late Arlene Buckner was part of that story, and Nancy Northrop has been involved with Girl Scouts for more than 75 years.

And now another generation is walking through our doors.

I hope you can feel my excitement about this opportunity! Please extend a generous, loving welcome to our new friends. Let us support them, learn their names, and discover together how we might serve the needs of our community.

Because building a strong community of faith takes energy, compassion, and love.

And each of us has something to contribute to our purpose: to know Christ and to be known by him.

Every. Single. One. Of. Us.

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.”

It’s really true, isn’t it?

So the next time you wonder about your spiritual gifts or question your purpose, let us remind you.

You may be totally clueless about what you bring to this community.

But I see you.
We see you.
God sees you.

Your presence matters.

Your absence matters.

Your faith matters.

And I hope you’ll see us, too.

Because perhaps that is how we become the One Body of Christ—not simply by occupying the same building, but by noticing one another, missing one another, welcoming one another, and recognizing Christ’s presence in one another.

There are never dull moments at St. Paul’s because you are in it.

Thanks be to God!

Your partner in crime, lovingly,

Fr. Andrew