From Fr. Jody



September 27, 2024

Dear Friends,
 
My heart is so full from our beautiful Celebration of New Ministry last Wednesday night—what a wonderful way to formally mark the beginning of this shared journey!
 
I’m deeply grateful to everyone who helped plan and prepare for the festivities, to those who blessed us with your prayers and presence, and to everyone who reached out with expressions of encouragement and support.
 
Special thanks go out to our Altar Guild and Flower Guild for making our spaces so stunningly beautiful; to Peggy Lyden and our choir and musicians for the gorgeous music; to Helen Childers and the inimitable Cracked Plates for the delicious and convivial reception; to our faithful and talented staff members for all their behind-the-scenes planning and organization; to all our acolytes and lay liturgical participants; and to Bishop Russell and my clergy colleagues Geoff Evans, Brad Clark, Ashley Freeman, and Pratt Patterson.
 
It was truly a special and grace-filled evening of worship and fellowship, and a defining moment in the life and history of this incredible community. Thank you also to everyone who contributed generously to my discretionary fund, which will enable me to continue ministering in important ways outside of our operating budget.
 
When I was ordained as a priest, I was given this charge: “In all that you do, you are to nourish Christ's people from the riches of his grace and strengthen them to glorify God in this life and in the life to come.” What a privilege it is to continue to live into this high calling here in this time and place. May God’s blessing be upon us all.
 
Yours in faith and gratitude,
Jody+


The Very Rev. Johnny W. Cook