Infinite Possibilities
by Brad Abrams
What does it mean to be an Episcopalian? What does it mean to be a member of the St. John’s community in Jackson? These are questions that struck me this past weekend as we attended the Sunday service at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ouray, Colorado. This St. John’s is a beautiful little stone church in the heart of the San Juan Mountains. Ouray is a quaint old mining town that has become a resort area. The Book of Common Prayer was the same and the Liturgy was the same. Everything was familiar. The main similarity I found was the church community in Ouray. Like our St. John’s community in Jackson, this one is comprised of people from diverse backgrounds and origins. Different ages, ethnicities, educations, and vocations. Warm, welcoming, genuine, and loving, these folks invited us into their community for that Sunday morning.
The experience in Ouray reminded me of our church that exhibits these same fine qualities and lives in a close community of love and mutual support. I’m reminded of my first time attending St. John’s soon after moving to Jackson on a full-time basis. The warm inviting qualities extended to me in a new place from a new set of church community friends.
St. John’s has been such a central part of my life over the years, which continues today. Though rectors, friends, and fellow brothers and sisters have come and gone, one thing has remained the same.
It remains a pillar of strength for me.
This strength also reaches to our church family, to visitors from around the world, to the Town of Jackson community, and to many regions far beyond. I met my wife, Robbi, at St. John’s after the ten o’clock service one Sunday in Hansen Hall. We dated, fell in love, and were married in our beautiful old log Chapel on campus. St. John’s continues to be an important part of our relationship and marriage.
I think back fondly to the time in 2003 when I accompanied a group of fellow Episcopalians from all parts of Wyoming on a mission trip to Honduras. We traveled far away on a great adventure and became steadfast friends while providing a helping hand to the people of a small village far up in the mountains. Another St. John’s member went along and I saw firsthand the caring and compassion that exists in our congregation. In January, Robbi and I traveled together on another mission trip to our sister church in Cuba where we met many wonderful loving people who all share our faith.
Today, Robbi and I are members of St. John’s Eucharistic Ministry where we visit members who are unable to attend regular Communion services. This has been a wonderful way to get to know new people in our community as well as strengthening the bond with people we know well. I continue to attend the Men’s Breakfast Group each Thursday where many friends, old and new, discuss important issues of faith and often share the moving experiences that have shaped our lives. These are but a few of the ways in which St. John’s provides a grounding experience to its members and to the community.
St. John’s continues to be an important part of the Jackson community where it acts as the focal point for many civic activities that touch so many inside and outside of the church. At St. John’s, each person looks into their own heart to discern that calling for “what we can do, with what we have, where we are”. The possibilities are infinite.
Tags: Stewardship Campaign
