Each morning when I get to work, I sit with an icon of the road to Emmaus. Shortly after the crucifixion (but before the resurrection is understood) Cleopas and another disciple are going toward Jerusalem when a stranger appears and asks them what they’re talking about. They don’t recognize the risen Christ in their midst, but as they walk, the stranger interprets Scripture and teaches them about the Messiah. Only afterwards, as they share a meal, is he revealed as the risen Christ. He disappears, and they marvel together: Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road? (Luke 24:32) Looking back over the year, we can see.
Our hearts were burning:
We said goodbye to friends—moving on to new adventures, Ian and Becky left for the Coast Guard. We celebrated Holy Week and Easter, our liturgies carrying us through those wild days of Christ’s Passion and Resurrection. We cared for those far away, as we gathered money to buy pigs for people in Haiti rebuilding their lives after the earthquake, and near, as we worked with the children at B Safe in Boston, while all year offering food to seniors in Waltham and diapers to parents in need. People took on new ministries, listening to where God lead them, and put down old ministries, as they were lead to new challenges. We were reminded of the preciousness of our time together, as we said our farewell alleluias to Martha White and Mary Bonnyman in May and June. John entered hospice; his good humor still is a pleasure each time I visit. Adah, Vanessa, Alana, Henry, Claire, and Olivia, were baptized. Paul joined us in September, reminding us of how important it is to nurture new leaders, and gave us an opportunity to work more closely with our friends at St Peter’s. We applied for a Community Preservation grant from the city, taking our place with the Paines, Lymans, and Winns, and all those who’ve gone before in caring for our building.
Each year I sit down to write this report—now, my sixth—I have the same flush of gratitude and excitement at what we are doing at Christ Church. It’s been a busy year—these days of burning hearts—but we’ve also had some very fruitful space for reflection and discussion with the work of the GPS (“God’s People Serving”) Committee, magnificently chaired by Jonathan Duce. In our work in creating mission and vision statements of the church, we’ve had wonderful opportunities to listen to each other and consider what we are about here (see the GPS report for so-far final drafts of everything). Our hearts were burning within us again and again—sometimes we even knew God was with us at the time!
Throughout this process of discerning the mind of our community, I’ve also been so aware of the individual gifts that we each bring to the table. Working with Jonathan and Cindy as wardens has helped me see through new eyes what real leadership looks like—both on the level of creative visioning and the day to day planning that gets things done. I am so grateful to them for what they have taught me and what they do for this church. Very grateful, too, that Cindy will be able to stay on for another year as vestry member. With Shawn as treasurer and Michelle Driscoll as clerk, it’s been a pleasure to see them apply their own extraordinary gifts to those ordinary tasks and making them their own. Our whole vestry has been such a talented body; each one’s individual perspective has immeasurably enriched us all. Joy, Ed, and Jeanne, our outgoing members, will be missed—but I will look forward to seeing what new projects they take on!
In 2011, I pray our hearts will continue to burn with the brightness of God’s love, listening for the Spirit’s guidance and acting with the strength of the Gospel. Thanks be to God, and to each of you!
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