This Sunday we came together for worship and fellowship as usual. With extra fellowship. The extra fellowship was that during the service I invited all youth with backpacks, and adults with briefcases, to have them blessed in preparation for a new school year. We prayed for students and teachers, for questions and answers, for many things but most of all that the school year will be a good one. Where Children can accept information all the while being “in formation.”

By “in formation” I mean that the students learn how to be inquisitive in such a way that they become lifelong learners. They no longer necessarily need a teacher to give them information, but rather the ability to learn has been transferred to them. Transforming them in such a way that they can find the information they need.

I had a great day last Thursday with the Chaplain at HSES, Suzy Spencer, as we walked around saying blessings and sprinkling Holy Water all over the school. (I even blessed the Office and the Bayou City Blessings space among others. No place unblessed.) After the blessing we had an all-school Eucharist with the teachers and the school support staff. It was a wonderful event.

The School Blesses the church with the sounds of teachers and staff preparing for the children to begin another year, start their first, or start their last. The service made me look forward to hearing children playing in the playgrounds and praying in the Sanctuary.

Showing up can be direct by being with the body of Christ face to face like ushering, and showing up can be indirect by helping others to show up with you working in the background and maybe not even seeing who you help.

Camille and Jimmy were about to embark in a ministry called Logos. Logos is a multi-generational ministry where one night a week people from every generation come together to eat, pray, play, and Bible study together. It was scheduled for Wednesday evenings during the school year, and I thought I was going to enjoy some time by myself every Wednesday night. Then they left.

I don’t think I made it through the first Wednesday before I wanted to participate.

Dear Holy Spiriters,

During my sermon last week, I spoke a little bit about showing up. As Jesus showed up and was present with all those he taught and healed we too need to show up to be with one another. We need to show up because where two or three are gathered God is there too. God is also with us when we are alone but that is only half of the greatest commandment, you know, “Love God and Love neighbor.” In that commandment you can see God’s will for us to live life more abundantly through him with each other. St. Paul does describe the church as the Body of Christ, so being with neighbors is being with God.

Thank you.

Thank you for the wonderful Sunday welcome even though some of you still had no power you managed to come. Thank you.

My family enjoyed meeting you, especially Camille.

I am looking forward to many great days here at Holy Spirit.

I also want to take a moment to share a letter that Melissa Peter sent to the staff. What a wonderful thing to do.

My dear friends at Holy Spirit. It is my last chance to say goodbye in print in the Spirit Shot. It has been a wonderful experience for me to spend some time with you all in the service of Jesus. Sarah and I have truly enjoyed making friends with many of you and especially connecting with you at our Sunday Celebrations of the Eucharist. I have also especially relished our time together during our special Christian Formation events and times. For some of you, we have also rubbed shoulders at Vestry or School Board or staff meetings together. In whatever capacity, I have been blessed by our time together and the relationships that we have built. The Spirit is alive and well among you!