“Like Living Stones, Let Yourselves be Built     into a Spiritual House” (1Peter 2:5a)

When Peter, himself called “the Rock,” reminds the disciples of Jesus that they are chosen and precious as God’s people, he invites them to come to Jesus as “living stones.”   In a call to Christian life and community he reminds them that they are not the building, but the people.  Followers of Jesus are not just a bunch of rocks piled together, and “hanging out” in the same place, but an organic, breathing entity intended to be the living Body of Christ and called into their future for a holy purpose. 

As living stones, chosen and precious, we gather for God to form and to use in furthering the aims of God’s great mission.  One of my favorite study bibles, The Renovaré Spiritual Formation Bible puts it this way:

“The aim of God in history is the creation of an all-inclusive community of loving persons with God himself at the very center of this community as its prime Sustainer and most glorious Inhabitant.”

Since Lent, St. Michael’s and the other congregations in this Diocese have been engaging in discovering and reflecting on our individual and corporate experiences as “living stones,” members of Christ’s Body, the Church. 

Most recently congregational teams representing most of the churches in our diocese (as well as Diocesan leaders from Council and other programs), spent time together at the inspiring and hopeful Bishop’s Visioning Summit.  In the context of worship, we engaged in mutual discovery and sharing of the overarching themes that resonate throughout the Diocese of Northern California – themes that are lived out in our parishes and missions – all for the purpose of being built into a Spiritual House, God’s own people and recipients of God’s mercy and grace. 

You will be hearing more about this in the weeks and months ahead, but just so you can “taste and see that the Lord is good” (1 Peter 2:3a), here are a few of the themes that the St. Michael’s team to the conference.  These themes emerged over and over as members of St. Michael’s participated in the Lenten discovery exercise. 

Here are some of the Core Values evident in this parish:

            Accepting and Welcoming Congregation
            Provides Pastoral Concern and Support
            Engaged in the Renewal of the Next Generation
            Place of Spiritual Growth
            Offers an Active Ministry Life and Varied Opportunities
            A Cohesive Community Despite Differences

These core values will help guide and direct us as we seek to be Living Stones for Christ. 

Lovingly,
Mary+

Sunday Worship Schedule

8am      Holy Eucharist Rite I (no music)
10am    Holy Eucharist Rite II (with Choir)

Family Ministries begin September 9th

Infants & Toddlers                                    9:30 am
Church Nursery – Infants through 3 years old

Children’s Music Program                       9:50 am
Friendship Center – Preschool through 6th grades

Godly Play                                                 10:05 am
Chapel – Preschool through kindergarten

Living the Good News                             10:05 am
Church Halls – 1st through 3rd grades

Junior Youth Group (JYG)                     10:05 am
Friendship Center – 4th through 6th grades

Journey to Adulthood (J2A)  10 am to 12:15 pm
Youth Room – 7th through 12th grades

A Message from the Rector

It was eleven Septembers ago that I first wrote a column for this newsletter, The Messenger.  I was, at that time, your newly called assistant to the rector.  I’d served the previous year as chaplain to St. Michael’s School.  Of course, God led me to other ministries and responsibilities before bringing me back to St. Michael’s, but I think about that beginning as I write this September message and reflect on Fall 2007 at St. Michael’s Parish. 

Fall is a peculiar season in some ways.  In truth, Fall signals the beginning of an end, the close of another year.  Leaves will change color, the air will have a chill to it, and we will anticipate festivals like harvest and Thanksgiving.  For the church, Fall cannot help but anticipate “end of year” responsibilities like next year’s budget and the nomination of representatives for diocesan leaders for the November convention.   September carries November’s deadlines.  Fall signals the beginning of the end of 2007.  Yet, at St. Michael’s Church, this same peculiar season brings a fresh new rhythm of life!  It is September – and we resume the program year with fresh new opportunities. We welcome home our members from their summer travels and we greeting new families and individuals looking to find Jesus in this place.

So it is that this “peculiar season” actually functions more as a beginning than an end.  In the past two weeks floors have been waxed, carpets shampooed, the parking lot resurfaced, and the kitchen cleaned.  New schedules are being developed for preaching, celebrating, worshipping, teaching, baptizing, visiting, hosting, and serving.   The Beloved of God greeting each other – ready to learn and engage the Gospel of Jesus in fresh ways.  I hope September brings you new beginnings and fresh starts, as you listen for God’s call to spiritual growth and ministry in this parish.   

Lovingly,
Pastor Mary