This week from Mitch

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Yesterday, during the inauguration, I was moved by Amanda Gorman's poem. In particular, this verse "Scripture tells us to envision that everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid. If we're to live up to our own time, then victory won't lie in the blade, but in all the bridges we've made. This is the promise to glade, the hill we climb, if only we dare it."

Her words reminded me of another famous poem/prayer attributed to St. Francis, one that includes words like "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light."

I spent this morning in prayer with both poems. Both make me want to endeavor to be a better person. A better Christian. A better American. In the midst of a pandemic, having just finished a year where St. Martin's has done enough socially distanced funerals to last a lifetime, I want our church to be a place of shade, rest, love, and light. I want our church to be a place of "truth," not "a truth," but TRUTH. To be that place, I believe we must each commit to speaking the truth in love, building bridges into our community, and striving to see Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves. 

Scripture tells us you cannot cast out darkness with more darkness, only light can do that. If I were to make a new year's resolution this year (albeit a little late), it would be to live as a child of the light. I pray that you will join me in this.

In Christ,

Mitch+