Rector’s Update: 3 Invitations
Hi Restoration,
We have had a great week thinking about discernment. On Tuesday, Dr. Steve Macchia spent the afternoon with our staff and then, that evening, presented a wonderful lecture to about 100 of us on The Discerning Life. Scott did a great job facilitating questions from the audience.
This Sunday, I will preach on ‘The Discernment of God’s Voice.’
When God interrupts and gets our attention (Jan 8), we need to trust that it is His voice (Jan 15) so that we can follow His call (Jan. 22) and do His work (Jan 29).
This morning I was lingering in Psalm 29, which describes God’s voice. May we all hear it clearly!
The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. Psalm 29:3-4
Invitations
It gives me great joy to announce that the College of Bishops voted to consent to the election of Rev. Chris Warner to be the second bishop of the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic! You can read the announcement from Bishop John, here.
This news leads me to 3 Invitations:
- Would you consider receiving the biweekly newsletter from our diocese? It is a great way to stay informed about all the great things that are happening around our diocese… and often there is a story about what is happening at Restoration! I would love for you to get it. Just sign up, here.
- Would you like to attend the celebration of Bishop John and Rev. Meg’s ministry among us? It will be on January 28 at 2pm at Truro Anglican Church. Please RSVP, here.
- Would you like to attend the consecration of our new bishop, Rev. Chris Warner? It will be on February 18th at 10:00am at The Falls Church Anglican. Please RSVP, here.
I am first in line at Restoration to say how grateful I am to God for His clear direction and guidance throughout this process. I am grateful for the ministry of Bishop John and Rev. Meg and I am looking forward to serving under the leadership of Bishop-elect Chris. You are warmly invited to join me and many others at these celebrations.
A Sabbatical…
At our parish meeting last Sunday, our wardens, Lorene Eberhardt and Adam Guzzo, announced that the vestry has granted me a sabbatical in 2023.
Thank you! It is a good gift.
I wrote a lot about sabbaticals when I took my first one in 2016. You can read all of that, here. If you are just wondering what a sabbatical is, try this.
I will be gone from February 1 until March 30, about two months. During that time, I will be starting a Doctor of Ministry Program at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Charlotte. There is a 2 week residency at the end of February where I will be in a real classroom with real live people. I am excited to have this opportunity to intentionally study and to dig into my own calling as I consider how God might want to use me in the next season of my vocational life. I will be in the ‘Pastoral Theology in Practice’ track and, Lord willing, finishing sometime in 2025. I will return from sabbatical on Palm Sunday, full of anticipation to walk through Holy Week and Easter with you.
I will also be gone for most of July and August, this summer. More about that opportunity when we get closer to it!
Restoration does a phenomenally good job caring for their clergy and staff. Thank you so much. This is a great gift.
See you on Sunday, expectant to hear the voice of God…
-David
