D-V's Desk

I write as 2023 comes to a close.   Soon 2024 will be upon us.   That does not seem possible.   Didn’t we just start 2023? A new year brings new things.   We have a clean slate.   There are soaring hopes and endless possibilities.   The world is our oyster! The Vestries of both St. Mark’s and All Saints’ will have their Annual Meetings and Elections later this month.   New leadership will be elected to the respective Vestries.   Reports will be shared about the parish’s life and ministry.   We’ll look ahead some to 2024. One very important change will take place before the Annual Meetings.   The Wardens of both churches have agreed to amend the partnership agreement.   I will be shared between St. Mark’s and All Saints’ in a fifty-fifty split beginning 1 January 2024.   All Saints is committed to supporting their brother and sister Episcopalians.   St. Mark’s is committing to helping provide support for All Saints’ fundraisers including helping set up, staff, cook, and clean up.

Christmas is only, GULP, 11 days away!!!  :-O :-O  I am not sure how that happened.  But, in a few short days, followers of Jesus will gather to remember the birth of the One who changed the course of history . . . the One whom we believe to be the Only Son of God. How fitting it is that we celebrate the Light of the world (see John 1) at a time when it is so dark.  I find these short winter days hard.  As do many of us who live with seasonal affective disorder.  We need sunlight, and lots of it, to properly function.   Cold, grey, wet days make me want to stay in bed and snuggle in with a good book, my cat, and a nice cup of something warm to drink.  Soon, however, we will see the days start to get longer as far as the hours of daylight.  The change will be almost imperceptible at first.  Slowly seconds will be added.  Then minutes. How fitting it is that the early followers of Jesus celebrated His birth just as the days begin to get longer.  Those first Christians made the connection

Dear Ones, Advent is almost here!   A very special baby is on the way!!   As with any other human baby, this baby requires that you and I prepare for the birth.   We must get our hearts and minds ready to receive the Christ Child within us.   This is an inner, spiritual type of getting ready as opposed to an external kind of preparation. Deacon Dorothy and I will be leading a special Advent series on the Tuesdays of Advent.   The sessions will be both in-person as well as via Zoom.   Each session will start at 4p with a simple soup and bread supper before the program at 5p.   The series will be held at All Saints’ but St. Markians are invited to join us.   Please RSVP to Dawn-Victoria+ so we can make sure there is enough food.   You can also contact her for the Zoom link. This month concludes the first look at the “Ten (plus one) Rules of Respect.”   One of the greatest gifts we can give one another is to treat each other with kindness, respect, and compassion as fellow beloved C