There are so many wonderful things about having Holy Spirit Episcopal School as a part of our community. Trunk or Treat is a great case in point as so many of our kiddos dressed up and had fun together and so many parents, teachers, and staff hosted trunks. Sharing in the events of our campus brings a dynamic that is joyful and mutually supportive. To that end, please note that the Famfest Fall Festival that our school organizes for all our families has been moved back a week to November 11 due to expected storms this Friday.

Not long ago, I was with some of my fellow clergy and someone pointed out that church is one of the last places in our society where all the generations come together on a regular basis. I love looking out at you all at the beginning of the service every Sunday and seeing saints of all ages. I have also noticed over the years that it is common to look out and see someone who is not the parent of the baby they are holding or the child they are sitting with.

The relationships we form are a foundational gift of our faith. Jesus’ ministry was almost always lived out in the context of his friends and followers. When he sent the apostles out, he sent them in pairs. Church life is a clear reminder that we are meant to be together. I’m aware that so many of my articles point to how great it is to finally be back together after the pandemic. I haven’t yet moved beyond the basic relief of us seeing each other face to face, but it is certainly feeling ever more normal to gather.

As I look out my window at the beautiful weather, I can’t help but think about all those who are waking up today in Florida. Hurricane Ian was big enough to impact several people I know across the sunshine state, all of whom are ok but will have a long road ahead. We in Houston know what that is like and hopefully we will find the optimal way to help care for those affected in the days and weeks ahead.

Last week I wrote about all the special events that are on our horizon and while those are all very exciting, my heart was truly gladdened this past Sunday as we shared so many of the “normal” parts of church life. We had lots of kiddos in Sunday school. The choir was wonderful. There was a great group for adult Sunday school and we had a wonderful conversation about the Gospel of John. And Coffee Hour on the lawn was the perfect end to the morning.

“Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” – John 12:24

When Jesus spoke these words he was telling his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and die on the cross which was not something that they understood or wanted to hear. On this side of the resurrection, we have a fuller understanding of the picture that Jesus was painting for them. In God, all is redeemed. Even that which seemed over or lost is brought to new and abundant life. I even hear an echo of the life and grace given to us through the grain of wheat becoming our Eucharistic feast in worship.

This Sunday we will actually be starting a normal program year. It has been a while, and oh my goodness have I missed having everyone together. To celebrate, we will be having a special picnic after the 10:30 service. There will be hotdogs and Frito pies along with an ice cream sundae bar complete with all the toppings. Everything will be provided, all we need is for you to join us. Little ones are invited to bring swimsuits for the sprinklers and splashpads.

“The final secret, I think, is this: that the words “You shall love the Lord your God” become in the end less a command than a promise.” - Frederick Buechner

The theologian Frederic Buechner died a couple of weeks ago and the above quote came across my small phone screen soon thereafter. I have read some Buechner but had never seen this particular quote. It reminds me of one of the Gospel passages from John’s Gospel I often read at funerals (which we will read at Clyde Sloan’s funeral on Saturday) where Jesus is talking to the disciples and tells them that he is going to prepare a place for them in His Father’s house. He tells them that they know the way to where he is going. Thomas pipes up and says, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”

It is wonderful to be back at Holy Spirit after my sabbatical! I am grateful for the opportunity to have intentional time away. I’m especially thankful for our Vestry and lay leaders and our wonderful staff who did a really great job taking care of our beloved Holy Spirit Church. I have been glad to hear from so many of you how much you enjoyed Erin Jean. She certainly enjoyed being with you this summer.

For me, this summer was a fruitful time of prayer and renewal. I was blessed with a lot of intentional time with my family. We explored new places, churches, books, museums, restaurants and eateries (especially ice cream shops!), and more.