Rector’s Update: Grateful for 15 years!

Let us give thanks to God our Father for all his gifts so freely bestowed upon us:

For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea, 
We thank you, Lord.

For our daily food and drink, our homes and families, and our friends, 
We thank you, Lord.

For minds to think, and hearts to love, and hands to serve, 
We thank you, Lord.

For health and strength to work, and time to rest and worship, 
We thank you, Lord.

For all who are patient in suffering and faithful in adversity, 
We thank you, Lord.

For all who earnestly seek after truth, and all who labor for justice, 
We thank you, Lord.

For all that is good and gracious in the lives of men and women, revealing the image of Christ, 
We thank you, Lord.

For the communion of saints, in all times and places, 
We thank you, Lord.

For 15 years of Good Things Growing Here,
We thank you, Lord.

Above all, we give you thanks for the great mercies and promises given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord; 
To him be praise and glory, with you, O Father, and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Birthday, Restoration! It was so fun to celebrate our 15th with donuts, coffee, HoCho, balloons, mugs, party hats, a new RestoArts installation, and a new Resto Song: Good Things Grow Here! Thank you for your joy and enthusiasm!

I am praying for you as you gather at tables this week to remember, to feast, to discuss, to give thanks. May God give you grace to feel included and valued. May God give you patience with those with whom you disagree. May God give you ideas and nudges about what He’s doing in your life. May God give you a blessed nap in the midst of it all! 

I am eager to start Advent with you- the stillness, stories, purple, and power. 

See you on Sunday,
David

A few brief reminders of important good things that are happening at Restoration:

1. All members of Restoration were emailed a ballot and bio book for voting in the 2024 Vestry Election. Please complete your voting by this Sunday, December 1. I announce our new vestry members next week.

2. Our Advent Quiet Morning is December 7 at Restoration. It is an opportunity to be in solitude together, to be prayed for if you desire, and to be still before the Lord. It’s a great gift in a season of bustle.

3. At our diocesan Synod last week, there were so many inspiring stories of churches doing the work of serving their communities and reaching new people through new churches. Our Resto delegation loved it. Bishop Chris announced that a donor has generously offered to match gifts given to the diocesan designated fund for mission, which fuels church planting in our diocese. The Restoration vestry gave a generous gift to this fund to support diocesan church planting and invites others from our church to give, if they are so inclined. It will be matched 2:1 and you can do so here.

4. I announced on Sunday that Restoration is the host site for seminary classes that are being offered in a partnership between Gordon-Conwell and our diocese. Restoration is excited to be a big part of offering local theological education for anyone who wants to go deeper in their discipleship. These are also classes where one can begin to explore a journey towards vocational ministry. The next class at Restoration will start in February 2025. It is a Friday evening and all day Saturday. If you are curious, send me a note! 

5. Our bishop issued a final pastoral response to the abuse investigation at The Falls Church Anglican. I commend it for your reading and I continue to pray with daily fervency for all who have been affected and desperately want to be healed.