The Magic of Fall

If you’ve been around the valley over the course of the last couple of weeks, you can’t help but notice the leaves are changing color and some are letting go of their branches. The mornings are refreshingly crisp and require a jacket. Those of you moving back toward warmer climates for the winter are stopping by the office and saying your goodbyes. Though town and church don’t seem to have slowed much, there’s no doubt we’re into the change of seasons as summer has turned to fall. We went up to the park a couple of nights ago and listened to the elk bugles bounce off the rocks in the canyons and trickle down into the forested areas. It’s magic. It’s the best.

While summer is waning, the mission and momentum of St. John’s Episcopal Church is not. We’ll be spending some structured time with our dreams this month with the help of a consultant and friend, David Wilson. We’ll spend time as a vestry and staff with David, and at the end of the month the staff and vestry will spend the day up at the Murie Ranch working on developing a strategic plan for our church for the next few years. It’ll be a dreamy road map for us to follow as the Spirit guides us.

We’re experiencing a strong response to our 2019 Stewardship Campaign “Deep Roots, Wide Embrace.” I want to express my sincerest gratitude for your generosity and care for this church and all we serve here and well beyond. You, y’all, we have a demonstrated history of supporting our church, our community and one another. I’m grateful to serve God among and with you.

During the month of October, I ask for our prayers as we move toward this new phase of life in developing our plan and finishing our stewardship. I ask that you ask God to give us clear insight into bold mission for our church. I’d ask that you ask God to show up more people and places that need the love of God expressed in the way we do it at St. John’s. I’d ask that you ask God to renew and refresh and revive us. I know you will. Thank you!

Love,

Jimmy