Dear Saint Annians,

The 14^th century Christian mystic, Meister Eckhart, said “If the only prayer you ever said in your whole life was ‘Thank you’, that would suffice.”

On this beautiful Thanksgiving morning, I pause with you to offer thanks to God, for a world of blessings.  And I want to let you know that one thing I am very grateful for is the privilege of serving with you at St. Anne’s.  Being your rector is a blessing every day.  You are an amazing congregation of gifted and giving people. I am awed and inspired by your sincere love for God and all God’s children. Serving with you is good work, and I am thankful to be among you.

Last night Episcopalians, Methodists, and New Catholics gathered at St. Anne’s for our annual neighborhood Thanksgiving Eve service.  We heard poetry and essays and scripture and wise sayings about gratitude. We sang hymns about God’s goodness and the bounty of the harvest -- not just the harvest of the fields, but of knowledge and commerce and generosity -- all the things that bind the human family together. We remembered that we are dependent on the work and resources of others, just as our work and resources are needed for the world to thrive.  We heard a large combined-church choir sing a beautiful Bach chorale. We heard an inspiring sermon from Fr. Marty Shanahan, pastor of Spirit of Hope. Afterward, we gathered in the parish hall for conversation and dessert, enjoying fellowship in God, from whom all blessings flow.

My hope last night, and today, is that the attention we give to Giving Thanks will not just be something we do on this special occasion. May the attitude of gratitude we embrace today be part of a habit of thankfulness, lasting beyond this day, shaping and influencing our lives each and every day. “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (Collect for Thanksgiving Day, Book of Common Prayer, page 246)

Blessings,

Lydia +

A Prayer for Election Day

Almighty God, 

to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: 

Guide the people of the United States 

in the election of officials and representatives; 

that, by faithful administration and wise laws, 

the rights of all may be protected 

and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; 

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Book of Common Prayer, page 822

Dear Ones,

As we held Morning Prayer and Bible study this morning, and as I sit in my study at Saint Anne’s right now, the voter traffic has been constant.  People have been streaming in all morning, into the parish hall, carrying out their most basic right and duty as citizens.

I voted on my way in to church this morning. I hope you are planning to vote too. We are blessed to have this right, this freedom, this responsibility, and to join together to choose the leaders for our country.

Saint Annians hold diverse opinions and support differing ideologies.  Our votes today will not all be for the same candidates, or for the same position on constitutional amendments.  But I hope we can say with confidence that each of us is doing our best, with our votes and our engagement in political discourse, to live out what we believe to be our best faithfulness to the gospel.  We share a love of God and of our country, and a desire for good to prevail.  We are united in Christ, and in our hope for the future of our country and the world.  I hope our love for one another will allow us to respect each other as thinking, conscientious, faithful people, even as we may disagree.

A friend posted the following on her Facebook page. I think it’s a good pledge, for all citizens, of every faith.

I pledge allegiance to my country. After the election I will maintain my friendships with everyone. I won't lord it over you if my side wins and we will be friends if your side wins. I will also root for the new president to be the best president ever, to make wise decisions for the people of this country, regardless of whether I voted for him or not. The truth is, by far the majority of this country is made up of kind, hardworking wonderful people who want the best for their country, for their friends, family and want peace in the world. Let us be good winners and good sports and model good behavior for our children and grand children.

Yours in Christ,  

Lydia +