Renewal

See, I am making all things new. Revelation 21:5

Grace and peace. As I hear these words from the book of Revelation, deep gratitude swells from within me. I feel God’s presence with us at St. Peter’s, making us new again. Don’t you? 

Sunday mornings are abuzz with people gathering to learn and to worship God. Visitors are finding their way here. Long-time members are returning.  We are celebrating a successful stewardship season. St. Peter’s has been chosen to join a new initiative to help parents nurture the faith lives of their children. Soon we will begin a new young adult group. People are excited to attend the parish retreat at Shrine Mont. We are walking our neighborhoods to spread flyers and share our joy about St. Peter’s. Lay Eucharistic Visitors are taking communion to those unable to gather in person. We continue our strong commitment to serving others both close by and far away. 

Lent is a season of renewal, coinciding with Spring when the days lengthen, bulbs push their way up out of the deep dark soil to share their colorful splendor with the world, and the weather turns warmer. During this season, we are engaging in faithful practices that draw us out of our darkest places and closer to God so that we can embrace our belovedness as children of God. God is renewing our very lives, making us new each and every day. 

So much is in need of renewal since the pandemic. The patterns of our lives have changed. Yet God’s faithfulness endures, making us new. My prayer is that we continue to open our hearts to the renewing love of God and pause to name the ways God is renewing St. Peter's. Let God continue this good work of renewal within us as we march toward the glorious celebration of Easter.

I feel the spirit of renewal. Do you?

The Rev. Jenifer Gamber
Rector, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church