I hope and pray that you are well. This week's reading from Romans begins with these words, "Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers."

This week in our Gospel, Peter is given the figurative keys to the Kingdom of God. Peter is told that he is the rock on which the church is to be built and that evil will never prevail against it.

I hope and pray that you are well. I have been blessed to work with English Morris. He is a faithful man, a loving minister, and a beautiful musician. After 36 years English is retiring. Let me be clear, retiring does not mean leaving, it simply means the organ bench at St. Martin's will be occupied by someone else.

I hope and pray that you are well. This week at St. Martin's has been an amazing week filled with prayer, dreaming, and planning for the upcoming program calendar. It has been both difficult and exciting work.

I had to swing by Target this week for a few things. As I passed an aisle, I saw an animated little girl debating the merits of the pink-striped folder and the pink folder with Jojo Siwa on it. One was very chic and matched her backpack and new favorite shirt. The other was her favorite singer who all of her friends also loved. What would her folder choice say about who she was in this new grade and new year?! Would it say she's cool and really loves pink? Or would it be "cringe?!" Her dad listened with the expression of a grownup trying to understand the inner politics of 3rd grade -- perplexed.

This past week our Youth Group has also been away on their mission trip to New York City. They have participated in feeding ministries, learned about the service and mission of racial reconciliation in places whose bricks were laid by enslaved peoples, learned about how our sacred spaces tell our stories, and how beauty points to God. All the while enjoying good NY pizza, Highline tours, and a little fun. Please pray for them as they travel back home to us this Sunday.

I pray that you are well and that you have found ways to beat the summer heat. This week at St. Martin's has been a week of Bible stories, laughter, games, and play. Thank you to all of the amazing volunteers from youth to adults who have made this week happen. The pictures on our Facebook page and Instagram page are amazing. I encourage everyone to take a look.

The sounds of children playing, singing God's praises, and praying make me smile. I love Vacation Bible School for its tradition, its silliness, and its dedication to teaching the love of the Lord. If you want to see that the church is alive and well, swing by sometime next week before noon.

Starting at the end of July, work will begin to solve these issues and restore the beauty of these spaces. For the next two weeks, I will be holding space between services to answer any questions you may have. Since becoming a priest, I have tried my best to treat every funeral I have done like I was doing a service for my own family. The work in and around the memorial gardens will be done with the same respect, dignity, and love.

Each of us is called on to be a voice of welcome and/or a smiling face of invitation. Being a loving and welcoming community requires the individuals of that community to be loving and welcoming. It requires us to see the folks around us as the honored guest at the eucharistic feast we are hosting. From this hosting, bonds of friendship and affection can and will grow.

At St. Martin’s, I want to celebrate summer with you. From frequent snowball Sundays to lunches for seniors, I look forward to seeing you. I look forward to celebrating God’s love with you as we make summer memories.