Rector’s Update: our weekly prayer together
Dear Restoration,
A few weeks ago I wrote to you about ‘anticipated August rest’. I hope that has happened in some way for you and your household over the last few weeks.
And just as surely as August brings hope of quiet, September looms with assurance of ‘start-up pace of activity’. It’s coming.
Our team has been joyfully working to have everything ready for you to be in a small group this fall. (Registration opens for adult small groups on Sunday!) We have them for every age (Kids, Apex, Adults) and they all kick off on September 11. We can’t wait.
And… our team has been thinking a lot about our Fall Retreat on October 8-9. (Registration opens on Sunday!) It will be a highlight of the Autumn and I hope you can be there. There will be room for about 325 of us, so get your spot early!
And… our new Director of Worship Arts, Isaac Wardell, and his family arrived at their new home in Arlington. (You will get to meet him on Sunday! And here is a beautiful hymn that Isaac arranged.) We are so glad that he, Megan, and their four kids are here and we look forward to enfolding them into our community.
It’s all coming, but not yet. Take a few more strolls at sunset. Linger in your morning quiet time with the Lord. Write down your summer thanksgivings in a journal. “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope…” (Psalm 130:5)
Vestry-led Prayer Gatherings for this season of waiting
On Sunday, after a glorious morning of corporate worship, our vestry presented plans for a rector succession, should it be needed. Let me remind you that all of the information that we are distributing about the DOMA bishop process can be found here on the front page of our website.
In addition, there is a form for you to submit any question or comment you have about the process. That form goes to me! If you would like to submit a question or comment to our wardens, you can do so at this email address, which is only seen by them.
In our humanity, we know that it is hard to wait in the unknown. So the vestry has also created a weekly opportunity for us to pray together as a church. Each of them is hosting a prayer gathering at their home or Restoration for about an hour. You will have an opportunity to ask questions, to offer feedback, and then to pray with others in our congregation. I hope you will attend at least one! The first one is tonight at 7:30pm at the home of David and Darlene Fahrenkrug. You can find their address and a schedule of all 9 prayer meetings, here.
The psalmist says, ‘Oh Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.’ (Psalm 130:7)
This is such a good encouragement for us. Oh Restoration, hope in the Lord!
Yes.
-David
