From the Rector

“…but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.”

Philippians 4 

Dear Friends,

            This Monday, members of this faithful community gathered near the altar of God for the 500th time in 2025 to witness and receive the fruits of Our Lord’s love through his sacrifice on the cross. 500 is a lot. In my homily, I reflected on the words of a former parishioner in Georgia, who was an “old school” member of Alcoholics Anonymous. He told me that when someone asks how often they should go to a meeting, he would ask of how often they would drink. Did you drink every day? Then go to a meeting every day.  How often do Christians need the presentation of infinite love of Christ stretched out on the hard wood of the cross? As often as there is sin and brokenness. From the stabbing at North Forsyth High School to the massacre at Bondi Beach in Australia to the unimaginable parricide in the killing of Rob and Michele Riener, all in the period of a week, we are reminded of the insatiable spread of sin and brokenness. And yet, each day, we gather to pray. In everything – yes everything – by prayer and supplication, and with thanksgiving, we come and pour out our hearts to God. Those words of hope and joy from St Paul were sung at Sunday’s introit and have been said every day at mass.

Real Gratitude, Real Mission

            As I thought on those words this morning, I was moved to remember with thanksgiving the tangible signs of God’s goodness and blessing over the past year. In a completely non-exhaustive list, I thought of the 75th anniversary celebration with Bishop Curry, the generous gift from a parishioner to retire our capital campaign debt, the expansion of the Society of St Joseph of Arimathea cemetery, the bold witness of the Our Lady of Salem Shelter for Women, the hiring of Chloe Klingstedt as our new minister to children and families, and so much more. With thanksgiving, I reflected on the mission of this parish, which since COVID, has sharpened to echo the wisdom of our state’s motto: Esse Quam Videri, to be, rather than to seem (to be). There should be nothing superfluous in our Christian witness, nothing for show. In the words of St James, “religion that is pure and undefiled before God is this; to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world” (James 1.27). In a nutshell, this is our mission – serving the vulnerable, primarily through the work of Our Lady of Salem and St Joseph of Arimathea and keeping oneself unstained by the world through daily prayer, sacrament, and mercy.

Ending 2025 and beginning 2026

            With thanksgiving, I also make my request to God and to you. Not only are we averse to superfluity in our mission, but also in our budget. We faithfully and gratefully rely on the gifts of our members and friends to fully fund our Christian witness. The good news is that if everyone fulfils their 2025 pledge, we will be able to do just that. Fr Luke tells me that if pledges are met, and we receive just $10,000 in non-pledge gifts this month, we can expect to finish the year even or in the black. The additional good news is that after less than one month in our stewardship campaign, we are 91.25% toward meeting our pledge goal for 2026. If everyone who pledged this year but hasn’t yet pledged for 2026 makes their pledge (even at the same rate), we will meet our goal. You can easily pledge online and if you have any questions about your giving in 2025 or other financial matters, please contact Fr Luke. Thank you so very much.

With Advent Joy,

Fr Steve Rice
Rector